Aspasia Sue Burton

Sue Burton, of Cullowhee NC, passed away on December 28, 2022.  She was a highly intelligent and caring person, devoted to helping others, and will be dearly missed. She was born in Brooklyn NY, September 14, 1939, to Greek immigrants, Tamis and Sophia Chapas. 

Upon graduation from Metuchen H.S, Sue attended Douglas College on a full scholarship.  After graduating with her BS in Psychology in 1961, she taught 1st grade for 6 years. She married the love of her life, Charles Burton, in 1962. She left teaching to raise their daughter. Sue was a Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Asbury Park, Brownie Troup leader, election worker, and volunteered for many other organizations.  In 1978 she answered God’s call and enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary. After graduating in 1982 with her MDiv., she became an ordained Presbyterian minister. She was the first female minister in many of all churches she served.  She served as minister or interim minister for six churches until her retirement in 2003. She retired to care for her husband and remained active through in the community through volunteer work and serving on the Forest Hills Council and as Mayor pro tem until 2009.
 
Sue was a thoughtful, highly intelligent person who especially loved working with children and elderly. She continued to do volunteer work until her macular degeneration forced her to give up driving. She loved talking with people and she would talk to everyone she met, in grocery lines, sitting at a restaurant, at swim meets, wherever she was she engaged with others. 

Sue is proceeded in death by her parents; husband of 45 years; infant daughter, Bonnie Sue; and two sisters, Effie Oakes and Harriet Wilson. 
She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Marilyn and Brian Chamberlin; granddaughter, whom she adored, Sophie Chamberlin; nieces, nephews, and many friends. We will all miss her questions, her quirky sense of humor and unending encouragement. 

The Family will receive friends from 1:00PM-2:00PM, Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Appalachian Funeral Services, with a Funeral Service at 2:00PM.  Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sue’s name to local children’s organizations including the Christmas Connection of Jackson County.