Rena Beth Burton, 1956 – 2020

Rena Beth Burton, also known as “MeMe,” went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo at the age of 64.

Rena Beth was born March 19, 1956, and raised in Kilmicheal, Mississippi. In 1977, she moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, after marriage. She graduated from Kilmichael High School in 1974. Four years later, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and in 2002 earned her master’s degree in Secondary Education through Alcorn State University. She received her National Board Certification for Counselors in 2005. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church.

She was an extraordinary woman whose love for her husband, children, grandchildren and family was evident by all those around her. With a contagious spirit, she was living life to the fullest and ensuring each day was filled with happiness. She had an extensive professional career as a dedicated and compassionate educator, working for the Vicksburg-Warren School District. She recently retired from Warren Central High School, where, as a guidance counselor, she made an everlasting impact in the lives of each student she mentored. Throughout her career, she developed and maintained enduring friendships with numerous colleagues. During her 40-year career, her pride and commitment to her job were evident to all those around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest William and Katherine Pyron Rucker, and her sister Beverly Rucker Braswell.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Glenn Burton; son, Justin Burton; daughter, Alaina Bingham (Matt); brothers, Percy Rucker (Liz), Bill Rucker (Connie) and Richard Rucker (Mary); sister Linda O’Bannon (Chuck); and grandchildren Payton C. Lipe, Jr., Gavin Burton, Cameron Bingham and Taylor Burton.

A special thanks given to the staff of North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo CCU.

A drive through visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Glenwood Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19, the family will have a private memorial service officiated by Bro. Brian Ivey. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Burton, Rodger Hopkins, Eddy McDonald, Randy Dees, Paul Cummings and Joseph Quimby.

While her family grieves her loss, they are choosing to remember her in a way that honors her passion and love of teaching by creating the Rena Beth Burton Scholarship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the scholarship fund at BancorpSouth.