Edward Hunter Burton, known to his family and close friends as “Paw Paw,” passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, and entered into heaven to spend eternity with his Saviour.

Edward, or “Sonny,” as he was called as a young man, was born in Grundy, Virginia, on July 12, 1931 to his parents, Virginia Pearl Burton and Edward H. Burton. He grew up in Welch, West Virginia, where he married the love of his life, Martha Warden Burton, on June 22, 1950 at First United Methodist Church.

Ed attended National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia, and then worked at Appalachian Power Company and US Steel before starting his long and illustrious career at Virginia Power. After starting as a meter reader, he worked his way “up through the ranks” and eventually became a District Supervisor, a position he held for many years before retiring.

He was a man of unwavering faith and a long-time member of Matoaca Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School (one of his favorite things) for 26 years. He loved the Lord and served as a witness and testimony to many people during his lifetime.

Ed was a hard-working man, and always had a big garden. He loved sports, especially the West Virginia Mountaineers, Virginia Cavaliers, and the Washington Redskins. He enjoyed playing basketball and baseball as a young man, but found his true passion when he began playing golf in his 50’s. For the better part of 30 years, he played regularly with his friends and his family.

He enjoyed some traveling with his wife and really enjoyed their time together in places like Myrtle Beach, SC, Florida, and West Virginia.

He is survived by his 5 children: Edward Burton (Cher), Judith Tucker, David Burton (Cathy), Mary Beth Jones and James Burton (Becky); He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jason Burton (Kristi), Sarah Troutman (Will), Cindy Ward (Troy), John Tucker (Mary), Sydney and Reilly Burton, Colin Jones (Caitlin), Caleb Jones (JJ), Connor Jones (Heather), Amanda Munz (Matt) and Jordyn Burton. “Paw Paw” is also survived by his 23 great grandchildren: Ethan, Isaiah, Hannah, Crockett, Silas, and Eppy Burton; Makayla Burnham (Christian) & Mason Ward; Rachael, Avery, and Kate Tucker; Gareth, Gavin, Eleanor, Cohen, Violet, and Vernon Jones; Jaelynn, Zoey, and Jacob Rivera; Allison, Atlas, and Asher Munz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Hunter Burton and Virginia Pearl Burton, his sisters, Dorothy Keiling and Helen Sandridge, and his beloved wife, Martha Ann.

A celebration of the life of Edward H. Burton will be held on Saturday, August 22, at 1:00pm at Matoaca Baptist Church, 6409 River Rd, Petersburg, VA 23803. There will be a visitation with family on Friday evening, August 21, from 6:00 - 9:00pm at Matoaca Baptist Church. There will be a private ceremony at East Matoaca Cemetery following the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ed Burton’s name to Community Christian Fellowship Church in Colonial Heights, Virginia, (https://communitycf.com/) or The Archangel Project (https://www.thearchangelproject215.org/).