Mavis Nadine Burton, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday afternoon, May 19, 2020 in St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City. She was 86.

The daughter of Allen Kenneth Freek and Irene Katherine (Sutherland) Freek, Mavis was born May 24, 1933 in Newkirk. She grew up and received her early education in Newkirk, graduating from Newkirk High School with the class of 1951. Following graduation, she attended Colorado Springs Bible College. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree, she moved back to Newkirk and was employed at Eastman National Bank.

On May 8, 1955 Mavis and Tommy Wyate Burton were married in Newkirk. They established their first home in Blackwell.

Mavis transferred from the bank in Newkirk to Blackwell Security Bank, working there until 1963 when they moved to Shiprock, NM. There she was employed at the First National Bank for the next two years, followed by working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for two years. She became employed with Indian Health Services while at the same time she attended New Mexico State University, Las Cruces , and she graduated with Accreditation with the American Medical Record Association. She became employed at the Shiprock Hospital as Director of Medical Records and received an award for 20years of “dedicated and exemplary service.”

After Mavis and her husband retired in 1989, they moved to Ponca City to help care for her parents and live closer to their grandchildren.

Mavis was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the American Association of Medical Records. She was a member of the Stephen Ministries and Women’s Only Bible Study Fellowship. She and her husband were also member of Volunteers in Mission, traveling to Alaska, New Mexico, the Appalachians and Costa Rico, working where they were needed. She was an Ombudsman, something in which she held a great belief. She enjoyed working with nursing home residents and their families in an advocacy capacity, as well as with government and law enforcement in a legal and investigative capacity. Mavis was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening. She loved to travel and was ready to go whenever her husband’s work took them to other areas and states. A talented painter, she specialized in tole and reverse painting techniques. She was a member of the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild and had created many lovely quilts.

Mavis is survived by Tom, her husband of 65 years; their children, Linda Kay and Tim Burg of Shawnee, Edwin Allen and Lita Burton, and Roger Lee Burton, all of Farmington, NM; a sister and brother-in-law, Jo L. and Mike Chambers of Arkansas City; her grandchildren and spouses, Andrea and Ryan Brown of Farmington, J. T. and Jordan Burg, and Kathryn and Jeff DeFrancesco, all of Edmond; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Theola M. Otipoby and Allene S. Wright.

Cremation has been effected. Service arrangements will be announced later by Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

paid obituary