Danielle Catherine Burton

Danielle Melancon Burton, 51, a native of Atlanta, Georgia and resident of Ochlocknee, Georgia, died at her mother's home on June 12, 2011 in Atlanta. A memorial service will be held in the near future at Glad Tidings Assembly. Family and friends are invited to attend. Danielle Catherine is survived by her husband, Mickey D. Burton, of Mobile, Alabama, her daughter Lisa Catherine Murray of Knoxville, Tennessee, her mother and stepfather Catherine Melancon DeSoto and John DeSoto, two sisters: Stephanie Pruitt of Cumming, Georgia and Nicole Yawn of Adel, Georgia, and brother, Mark Melancon of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by 7 nieces: Rachel, Brea, Zoe and Molly Yawn of Adel, Georgia, Olivia Pruitt of Cumming, Georgia, and Elizabeth Melancon and Rebekah Melancon of Richmond, Virginia. Danielle has extended family and friends in Vermont, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, and Massachusetts, including her mother-in-law Teresa Burton of Mobile, father-in-law Clyde Burton of Saraland, Alabama, Richard and Jimmie Burton of Mobile, Robert Kathleen Burton of Cumming, Georgia, and Tanya Burton of Mobile. All those with whom she came in contact loved Danielle's laughter and her love of the Lord. Her father, Air Force veteran Phil Melancon, preceded Danielle in death. Born in Bremerhaven, Germany on March 21, 1960, Danielle was the first child of a proud military family. She traveled extensively with her parents to many European countries, as well as Canada. She attended first grade in Paris, France where her father was stationed on embassy duty. Her teachers were amazed at how fluent she became in such a short time. She later attended school in Quebec, Canada where she excelled in Canadian French as well. From there, when the family was transferred to Germany for a second tour, Danielle became fluent in German as well as French. Languages became a second nature to her and she excelled throughout her school years in Mobile, Alabama, while competing in French competition in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from B.C. Rain High School in Mobile, Alabama and attended the University of Alabama. A few years later, Danielle worked for the Department of Defense in Worms, Germany, along with her father. She continued working for government contractors throughout her career and eventually transitioned her career to more family-focused counseling in Atlanta, Georgia. A special thanks to Glad Tidings Assembly Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church for the many prayers and blessings bestowed on the Burton and DeSoto family. In addition, the family would like to thank Dawn Ward for her ministry in bringing flowers to the DeSoto home during Danielle's illness. The Flower Angels in Cairo arranged such beautiful flowers for the family to enjoy and our prayers and thanks go out to this ministry for their loving kindness and for Dawn's willingness to show God's love to us during this long illness by delivering the amazing arrangements. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the Hospice organization and their staff for their support during this difficult time. Donations can be made in honor of Danielle Melancon Burton at the Creutsfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation. CJD.org site, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334. Friends and family may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com