Brenda Sue Burton, age 81, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born February 22, 1945 to Bernard and W. Addie (Bartosovsky) Hawkins in Carnegie, Oklahoma. She married James Larry Burton on August 12, 1966 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and raised 2 daughters.

Brenda graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1963 and went on to Oklahoma State University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Education and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Kappa Delta Pi, and Orange and Black Quill.

Brenda retired after 34 years as a science teacher in Putnam City Schools. She touched the lives of over 3500 students in her teaching career. She taught Physical Science at Central Jr. High for 24 years and then 10 years at Putnam City High School. She was an amazing science teacher and shared her gifts with many other teachers as a teammate, mentor and friend. Brenda was a lifelong learner and took advantage of every opportunity to increase her knowledge and improve her practice. She was selected to participate in a teacher academy at NASA in Florida, and attended many National Science Teachers conferences all over the United States.

After retirement, Brenda and Larry enjoyed traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with a close group of friends and neighbors. She enjoyed reading, playing games and gardening and always had a vegetable garden and a patio and back yard full of flowers and greenery.

Brenda loved family gatherings, and spending holidays with family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, educator, and friend.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Addie Hawkins.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Burton; daughters, Jill Folsom (Jimmy) and Kelli Courtney (Justin); grandchildren, Jack Courtney, Grant Courtney, James Folsom, Nash Courtney, Josh Folsom, and Justin Folsom; sister, Anita Krug (Bill); brother, Don Hawkins (Mick); and several nieces, nephews and loving cousins. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 22, 2026 at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Chapel in Bethany, Oklahoma at 1:00 p.m. with inurnment following at Resurrection Cemetery.