Rosemary C. Burson

Rosemary Craighead Burson, beloved mother and kind friend, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Compassus Hospice on the St.Martin's in the Pines Campus in Birmingham, Alabama. A proud native of Nashville, TN, she is survived by E.N. Burson, III, and her daughters who were the pride of her life: Sara Elizabeth Olson and her husband Greg, Julia Isabel Lockwood and her husband Lucas, her beloved grandchildren: Lucas (L.J.) Lockwood, Jr. (7) and Logan Jane Lockwood (1), and her step-daughter Jennipher Isadora Burson. Her abiding love of her children could only be matched by her devotion to her grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable joy.

A lover of theatre and southern literature , an avid reader, and a sharp conversationalist she was also drawn to historic preservation, architectural restoration, and social justice causes. She was a true expression of southern grace at its best. Any void in a social gathering would be filled by her giant smile, and made lighter by her wit and laughter; and the occasional "Bless their hearts".

In life, motherhood was her calling. Her children, grandchildren, and beloved furry companion, Lucy, were the loves of her life. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her empathy, style, and grace.

Her heart was open to all she met, and she shared with abandon. May she travel well with clarity and serenity.

Please sign in and leave a remembrance, a good story, or an experience with Rosemary. If you leave your contact information you will be notified of a future celebration of life for her.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in remembrance of Rosemary to any of the following:

https://www.maryhallfreedomvillage.org/
A women's recovery program in Atlanta, GA.

https://cheekwood.org/
Historic Site, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Nashville, TN.

https://thistlefarms.org/
The Magdalene/Thistle Farms Program for Women Nashville, TN.
A world-renowned program for women's recovery and personal growth and transformation.

https://www.splcenter.org/
Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, AL.
One of America's best known and most effective centers for civil rights and social justice.

https://www.alabamawaldorf.org/about/our-story
The former "Redmont Waldorf School" in Birmingham where Rosemary served on the board in the mid-eighties, and attended by daughter, Sara.

The Sewanee Hospitality Shop Auxiliary (No website) where she was a volunteer while carrying her first daughter, Sara Elizabeth.
Sales provide for underserved in the mountain region
Located in: Sewanee: The University Of The South
Address: 1096 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375
Phone: (931) 598-0136

The family will be planting trees in her memory in several places. Do not go to the "sympathy store" tree program at the bottom of this posting.