Mary Elizabeth Burleson was born on April 25, 1950 to proud parents, Harold Burleson and Doris Deloach Burleson, in the small town of New Haven, Connecticut. On Thursday, October 31st, she peacefully departed this life while at home in her Canal Winchester residence.

She was raised in Akron, Ohio, where she spent most of her adult life before relocating to the Central Ohio area about twelve years ago. Mary took great measures to demonstrate how to love and treat people with a giving heart. While residing in Columbus, she was received with this same love and respect by her family and friends. This is how Mary Burleson should be remembered....graciously, with a smile!

Mary leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her living legacy, her seven beautiful daughters, Pamela (Vassal) Benford of Marina Del Ray, California, Shawn Jenkins, Wonique Jenkins, Rachel Jenkins, Angela Jenkins, Anita Jenkins, and last but not least, April Jenkins (the baby!), all of Columbus, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, Kristy Evans, Deyuan Wright, DeAsia Hardy, Taerone Jenkins, Khalil Jenkins, Angelica Peppers, Raven Brown, Aniah Johnson, Dariana Anderson, Javez Jenkins, and Journey Jenkins; sisters Delores Millhouse and Tina Williams; brothers Tyrone Millhouse and Harold Burleson, III; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Mary's parents, and sister Doris Burleson, preceded her in death.