Louise Marie Burton

Louise Marie  Burton was born on May 20, 1937 in Austin, Texas to Frankie B. Slider and Tom L. Slider Jr.  Louise and her siblings brothers James T. Slider, Ralph B. Slider and sister Tommie M. Slider were raised in a home filled with love for God and family.  The Slider Family eventually  moved  from  Austin, Texas to Vancouver, WA and onward to Portland Oregon for better opportunities for their children. Louise was not only beautiful, with a great personality, but very smart in school.  After her primary education in Austin, Texas she graduated from Lieser  Elementary School and Fort Vancouver High school in Vancouver, Washington.  It was in high school that she was smitten by a young man named Donald Richard Malone. They were married in 1952 and had one child Michelle Marie in 1953. 

At an early age she subscribed to the Slider Family Tradition of helping others and giving back to the community. The inspiration was the close knit community and the church.  She was always very responsible as the eldest sister.  Time brings about changes.  Although that union was no more. As the strong woman she was moved forward with continuing her education and career.  She began her formal education in the Nursing Program in 1954-1958 at St. Vincent Hospital.  She worked as nurse at St. Vincent, Wilcox Memorial  and Holladay Park Hospitals.  As a dedicated worker to support the family also worked in the hospitality industry at the prestigious Benson Hotel.   Sometime later she became ready to open her heart again by meeting Buford Leon Burton better known as “Jack”.  They were married in 1957 and little Kimberly Renee was born in 1959.

She developed the love of being an outstanding cook from her mother.  She shared many special family recipes with her daughters and grandchildren.  It was one of the many ways she shared her love by the way she cooked special dishes for us whether it was family breakfasts, Sunday dinners, picnics, birthday parties, barbecues or just entertaining friends. 

She later entered the Social Work Program from 1973 to 1975 at Portland Community College. The legacy of both her nursing and social work career highlights include Women In Transition Project, Community Outreach Counselor, Albina Action Center, Outreach Specialist/Coordinator, Beech Street Project, Special Project Assessment Specialist, Urban League of Portland, Intake Counselor, Emergency Services Counselor, Emergency Services Supervisor, Albina Ministerial Alliance, Director of Community Service Programs, Director of Energy Programs.  A dedicated community servant changing lives for more than thirty years. 

No matter life’s challenges she continued to rise above and overcome through her faith, love of family and children believing in God’s Plan for her life. Being the eternal optimist  about life and love, she eventually met the love her life Clyde A. DuBoise at a chance meeting at US Grant High School attending one of Michelle’s school activities. They were both at life’s crossroads and realized their journey was destined.  Families blended had a wonderful life together filled with the love and joy of cooking and traveling together.  They were happily engaged together in a 35 year relationship until he preceded her in death.  They can now dance together again.  

Louise was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin, niece and extraordinary mother, grandmother and friend.  She loved her children and grandchildren dearly.  Her zest for life and love was infectious.  Her smile and laughter was could light up a room.  If you were fortunate to be loved or touched by her or in her presence you knew it was a blessing from God.  The heavenly voice she was blessed with is now being heard in God’s Heavenly Choir.  God chose her to be our Angel .  Well done good and faithful servant. Your legacy lives on in all of us.

Preceding her in death were her parents Frankie and Tom Slider, sister Tommie Slider, brother James Slider and her long time companion Clyde A. Duboise.

She leaves to cherish her memory:  brother Ralph Slider and sister-in-law Anna Slider, daughters  Michelle Harper, Kimberly Edwards and son-in-law Jessie Edwards, sister-in-law Edwina Gonzalez, grandchildren Jayvin Harper and Kimberly Davis, great-grandchildren, September and Ernest Spinks, Jr. all of Portland, Oregon, and host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and Beloved Community.

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race, 

I have kept the faith”

2 Timothy 4:7

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louise Marie Burton, please visit our floral store.