Earnestine Burton

Earnestine Burton

November 8, 2025

Earnestine “Tine” Burton, 85, of De­troit, Michigan, was born on August 11, 1940, in Marion, South Carolina, to Melvin and Hallie Williams. She moved to Michigan at the age of 19, eventually meeting the love of her life, Virgil, in Detroit, where they wed in 1967. This union produced three children, whom Earnestine spent most of her time raising as a homemaker. Earnestine and Virgil were married for more than 50 years, until his death in 2018. During her life, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, gardening, watching spiritual programs, and doing crosswords while listening to music. For the past two years, Earnestine lived at Brookdale Senior Living in Ann Arbor and American House Senior Living in Farmington Hills.

Earnestine passed away early in the morning on Saturday, November 8, 2025. She is survived by her three children: Kimberly (Brian) Bur­ton-Weisman, Valarie Ashby, and Virgil L. (Kimberly) Bur­ton III; her five grandchildren: Caleb (Dana) Ashby, Caitlin Ashby, Jonah Ashby, Aria Burton-Weisman, and Kelsey Burton-Weisman; two great-grandchildren: Norah Ashby and Anthony Ashby; her sister, Mable (Albert) Barnes, and brother, Hezekiah (Irene) Williams; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil L. Burton, Jr.; her parents; her siblings: Willie Williams, Patricia Brookins, and Leona Prater; and her son-in-law, John Ashby.