Joyce Wright Burton of Delmar passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 26, 2023, after a brief stay at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
She was born Aug. 2, 1943 in Salisbury, a daughter of the late John Holliday Wright and Edith Rogers Wright.
Joyce graduated from Delmar High School with the class of 1961 and was active with the Delmar High School Alumni Association. After graduation she earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree in secondary education and psychology from Salisbury University.
Joyce’s career started at James M Bennett High School as a home economics teacher before moving to Seaford High School. After three years in Seaford, she transferred to Mardela High School where she retired after 29 years of service. On June 12, 1965, she married her high school sweetheart, David A. Burton, Sr., and together they enjoyed almost 58 years of marriage together.
She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Delmar where she served as a Sunday School teacher and happily did the children’s message for many years. She was very active at Harvest Ministries in Delmar where she had volunteered for many years. She was also a member of the New Century Club. Joyce was an excellent cook who loved feeding family and friends and a gifted seamstress who enjoyed making clothes for herself and her family, loved to travel and take pictures. Joyce loved her pets and will be sorely missed by her Shetland Sheep Dog, “Candy.” She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend to many.
She is survived by her beloved husband, David. A. Burton, Sr.; son, David A. Burton, Jr. and wife, Jill; daughter, Kelly Burton Dryden and husband, Troy; grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Rogers, Laura Paige Rogers, Shelby Louise Burton, and Reid Burton Rogers; step-grandson, Colby Dean Cambron; sisters, Joan Wright Catlin and Eleanor Kay Schells; and a brother, John Holliday Wright, Jr. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Rogers Wright.
A visitation for family and friends was held on Saturday, April 1 at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, followed by a funeral service. The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Morris officiate. Interment followed at St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Delmar.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Delmar Alumni Association, P.O. Box 184, Delmar, DE 19940.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.