of Rochester, MN

February 6, 1941 - September 25, 2024

Mary Frances McCoy Burton, age 83, of Rochester, Minnesota died on September 25, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Orville B. McCoy; mother, Ruth Kirby McCoy; sister, Ruth Kay Turner and son, S. Bruce Burton, Jr. After graduating from Harrison High School in Harrison, Arkansas, Mary attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and was an ardent life-long Razorback fan.

Mary led a full life. She attained her private pilot license at the age of 25 after soloing in a Cherokee 140. A gifted musician and accomplished pianist, she enjoyed composing music and playing the piano for family, friends, and residents of care facilities throughout Little Rock. She was a lifelong duplicate bridge player and a member of the Arkansas Duplicate Bridge Club. She attained the Life Master Rank in 2017. She was also devoted to her Christian faith and had served as a Sunday School teacher, and choir director and frequently attended Kay Arthur Bible studies.

She is survived by her brother, Philip Michael McCoy of Harrison, Arkansas; daughter, Dr. Caroline Burton of Rochester, Minnesota and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.


A graveside service was held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas with Father Isaac Petty officiating.

Honorary pallbearers were Jeffrey Burton, David Burton, Gary Mead, Larry Don Alford, and Michael Grammer.


The family expresses its gratitude to Mary's loving caregivers, Donneailla Brooks, Sue Fisher, Sara Meinke, Etta Meincke, Taylor Amsden; to Mayo Clinic Hospice, Dr. Kevin Whitford, Suzanne Bundrick, C.N.P. and Nicole Schoenfelder, RN; to the Mayo Clinic Palliative Care; Homebound Program and Courtney Maks, C.N.P. and to the staff of Shorewood Senior Campus in Rochester, Minnesota. The family would also like to recognize Dr. Nidhi Jain at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock, Arkansas for her years of extraordinary dedication to Mary's care.


In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116, or to the Ozark Humane Society, 5147 Rock Springs Rd W, Harrison, Arkansas 72601.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com