Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel
912-754-6421 (fax) 912-754-3426
P.O. Box 295
Springfield, GA 31329
Walton Ewing Burns
Rincon – Walton Ewing Burns, age 83, died Saturday, October 29, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her children.
Walton was born on May 19, 1933, in Savannah, Georgia. She was the beloved daughter of Georgia Zittrouer Ewing and Walton Robert Ewing. She married Lester A. (L.A.) Burns in 1956, and was the devoted daughter-in-law of Nadine Graham Burns and Lester Lamar Burns. She was predeceased by L.A. in 2008.
Walton graduated from Effingham County High School in 1949. After graduation, Walton attended college at Georgia Southern College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She went on to earn a Master's degree from Armstrong State College and several specialists' degrees from Georgia Southern.
Walton dedicated her 38-year career to the educational system, spending 34 of those years in the Effingham County School System as a classroom teacher, a lead teacher, and as the principal of Rincon Elementary School. She loved her career, her students and her staff. She worked tirelessly to make Effingham County schools the best they could be. In 2002, the Georgia State Legislature honored Walton by passing a resolution commending her for her service.
As a lifetime member of Rincon First Baptist Church, Walton was a choir member and founding chairperson for the Kindergarten Committee of First Baptist Day Care. She was very involved in the community, serving as a founding member and President of the Rincon Jaycettes, President of the Effingham County unit of the Georgia Association of Educators, President of Delta Kappa Gamma, and President of the Rincon Elementary Parent/Teacher Association. She was also chosen as Outstanding Young Educator in Effingham County in 1965.
Walton is survived by her four children and spouses, M. Michele Burns, Bonnie J. Burns, John E. Burns (Julie), and Caroline Burns Morgan (Douglas); five grandchildren, Elijah, Laurie and Carson Burns, and Nicholas and Olivia Morgan; a sister-in-law, Barbara J. Burns; a niece, Tina Burns; a nephew, Terrence Burns; a great-niece, Samantha Black (Chris) and children. She is also survived by her beloved caregivers, Joyce Brannon, Annie Bryan, Sibylene Buehler, Annette Connely, Debra Goldwire, Mamie Morell, Agnes Porter and Shelly Vajk. Her pallbearers are Elijah R. Burns, Representative Jon G. Burns, Terrence W. Burns, J. Taylor LaRue, M. Douglas Morgan, Milton J. Morgan, Nicholas P. Morgan, and Robert M. Taylor.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1 at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, at First Baptist Church of Rincon. Interment will be in Rincon Cemetery.
Remembrances may be given to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons
Funeral Home
Effingham Chapel
(912)754-6421