Vesta Williams Burton, 94, of Athens, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at Life Care Center of Athens.

She was born and raised in the New Zion and Goodsprings communities near Etowah, and was a daughter of the late Emma Moses and John D. Williams. She was a member of Clay Hill Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Horace N. Burton; one son, Carlos Burton; one infant daughter; one grandson, Heath Johnthan Barnes; one daughter-in-law, Jean Williams; one son-in-law, Billy Thompson; five sisters; and two brothers.

Survivors include one son, Gerald Williams of Charleston; three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Jim White of Athens, and Dean Thompson and Brenda and Richard Barnes, all of Riceville; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother and sister-in-law, the Rev. R.T. and Marylee Williams of Starke, Fla.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the family officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be grandsons.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com