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Amelia Burton (February 20, 2013) |
Amelia Sleet Burton, 96, the widow of James A. Burton, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Born Feb. 10, 1917, in Perryville, Ky., she was a daughter of the late Lott and Cora Sleet. She graduated from Bate School in Danville in 1933. Amelia received her teaching certificate at the age 18 and began teaching at the one room school in Perryville. Amelia graduated from Kentucky State University with her teaching degree and later received her Master’s Degree from Indiana University. She also taught at Old Bate School in 1967 and became the first African American to teach at Jennie Rogers Elementary School after integration. She retired in 1982 after a total of 47 years of teaching.
She was awarded the first Distinguished Teacher Award by the Kentucky State Board of Education in 1983. Amelia was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Danville School Alumni Association and Bate Alumni Association for her outstanding achievements as an educator.
Amelia was a devoted church member of First Baptist Perryville serving as church pianist and Sunday School teacher, to name a few.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Lestie Sleet, William Sleet and Thomas Sleet.
Survivors include two nieces, Gyjuan Sleet Woodson of Indianapolis and Barbara Shannon of New Albany, Ind.; two great-nephews, Michael Woodson Jr. and William Thomas Woodson, and a sister-in-law, Louise Sleet, all of Indianapolis; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 310 First St., Perryville.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at the church.
Smith-Jackson Funeral¿Home is in charge.
Online guestbook: smith-jackson.com.
