Ms. Debra Williamson Burton passed on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the Alamance Regional Hospital.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at New Ephesus Missionary Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m with family visitation one half hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Public viewing will be on Monday, January 20, 2020 from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. at McLaurin Funeral Home.

Debra Williamson Burton of Burlington, NC was born March 16, 1958 to the late Joseph Williamson Sr. and Lona Mae Williamson in Caswell County. She answered the Master's call on Thursday afternoon at Alamance Regional Hospital.

Debra accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and joined New Ephesus Missionary Baptist Church.  In her earlier years, she was an active member of the usher board, participated in the 50 State Rallies and Rainbow Teas. She loved choir anniversaries and good gospel music. One of her favorite songs was "Walk Around Heaven All Day".  The one thing she wanted all to remember about her is "I tried my best to be a good and loving person".

Upon graduation from Bartlett Yancey High School in 1977, she worked at Burlington Industries and Macfield in Reidsville, NC.  Later she worked at Easco Aluminum until her health declined.  She was also a certified medical technician and worked part-time for Graves Family Care.

In her community, Debra was known as "The Mayor".  She knew everybody and their children, who all knew and loved her.  Her house was a gathering place for many—especially children, nieces and nephews.  Debra never met a stranger and opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay or needed comforting.

Debra had a green thumb and grew beautiful flowers, loved cutting her grass and keeping her yard looking good.   She was an avid lover of football and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan as well as a Carolina Panthers fan.  You could find her on Sundays yelling and coaching the teams on every play from her living room.  Debra was also an informed news enthusiast and stayed abreast of what was going on in the world, with the President and our government.

In addition to her father, Debra was preceded in death by:  her sister, Ola Taylor; brother-in-law, Albert Taylor; brother, Joseph "Squeakie" Williamson Jr.;  sister-in-law, Donna Williamson; nephews, Vernon and Derrick Taylor; nieces, Sharon Frances and Sharon Cynthia Kee; and great nephew, Tamario Taylor.

Those left to cherish precious memories include:  daughters, Ashley Williamson of the home, and Driante` Wilson (Bruce) of Burlington, NC; mother, Lona Mae Williamson of  Reidsville, NC; sisters, Frances Settle and Cynthia Williamson, both of Reidsville, NC and Lisa W. Smith (Cassius) of Kernersville, NC; brothers, Michael (Valeria) Williamson of Yanceyville, NC, and Alphonso Williamson of Pelham, NC; sister-in-law, Gladys Williamson of Reidsville, NC; granddaughter, Kamari Mims and grandson Nyrell Wilson, both of Burlington, NC; uncle, Mack Settle of Reidsville, NC; grand-dog, Tygra of the home; godchildren, Blake Price, Mallie Price and Adelynn Price, all of Burlington, NC; godsisters, Stella Bigelow, Debra Graves, Hess Miles, and Louise Williamson; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a world of special friends too many to name.

McLaurin Funeral Home is serving the family.