Marie Simmons Burden

On Friday, God saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.  So, He gently closed Marie’s eyes and whispered “Peace Be Thine.”  She bid no one a last farewell, she said goodbye to none, her loving heart had ceased to beat, and her story on earth was done.

Marie Simmons Burden, 93, was born on July 15, 1928 to the late Della Cox Bowden and Leslie Simmons. She departed this life on January 21, 2022 at Wayne UNC Health Care. Marie was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She was born and raised in Johnson and Wayne Counties and attended Dillard High School.  In 1946, she married the love of her life, Ralph “Rock” Burden, Sr. To this union, they were blessed with six children.  She also was a surrogate mother for many of her nieces, nephews, her children’s friends, etc. 

She was employed at JP Taylor Tobacco Company in Goldsboro. She provided health care aide to several families. However, to her, the most important employment was being a wife and mother. Marie declared her love for God and her family until her last day on earth.

Until her health declined she loved the family fishing trips, was an avid reader and had a passion for cooking, she was a great cook.  Marie enjoyed seeing people eat and have fun.  Everyone loved her specialty of “apple jacks.”

Marie professed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and loved Him with a fervent passion.  She will be remembered for living a life that glorified God—a life of love, grace, humility, generosity, and service to others.  Early in her Christian walk she joined Mt. Zion Disciples Church but in her later years joined her husband’s church—St. Joseph F.W.B. Church where she was a faithful member.  She served on the Mother Board and was known for not being ashamed to praise the Lord.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph “Rock” Burden, Sr. and her son, Glenwood Earl Burden, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memories and love to her beloved daughters: H. Diane Thornton

(William), Pamela B. Adams, P. Gail Ruffin (Frederick); and her devoted sons: Anthony Burden   and Ralph Burden, Jr. (Wanda); 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 8 great, great grandchildren; Sister-in-law—Helen Burden Simmons and Brother-in-law—Herbert Hoover Braswell; her Healthcare Aide/Friend Bernestine “Aunt B” Whitehorn; and a host of her loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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