Helen Elizabeth (Simms) Burton, 72

ROCK HALL, Md. - Helen Elizabeth (Simms) Burton, of Rock Hall, died Friday, March 16, 2007, in Chester River Hospital Center, Chestertown. She was 72.

Born in Baltimore on Nov. 20, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Brant O. Sr. and Helen E. (Gabler) Simms.

Mrs. Burton was a 1953 graduate of Kenwood High School, and a member of the Peabody Institute of Music Class of 1957, where she studied opera.

She married the Rev. Albert C. Burton, her childhood sweetheart, in 1957.

Mrs. Burton was associate registrar of Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She worked in Baltimore for James Dash as a secretary. An opera singer, she sang professionally in both Denver and Baltimore, but enjoyed singing in church the most. She was, in the truest sense of the word, a minister's wife, always supporting her husband in his appointments and ministries. They moved to Rock Hall in 1982, and she worked with the Rev. David LaMotte as secretary for St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The Rev. and Mrs. Burton resided in Bear, Del., until retiring to their home in Rock Hall in 1995.

She enjoyed singing, painting and life.

Mrs. Burton was a member of Rock Hall United Methodist Church, and various other church organizations.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Albert C. Burton, in 2005; and two sons, Bradley Burton, in 1988, and Brant Burton, in 1985.

She is survived by a brother, Brant Simms Jr. and his wife Rachel, of Baltimore; and her nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m., in Rock Hall United Methodist Church, where relatives and friends may call two hours prior to the service.

Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Co., c/o Sue Becker, P.O. Box 166, Rock Hall, MD 21661.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, Rock Hall.