Rose Virginia (Sizemore) Burton (1917 -
2015)
Obituary
Rose Sizemore Burton, 97, died on
November 5, 2015. Born in Hoyt, Kansas in 1917, the sixth of seven
children, five sisters (Jeannie, Bernice, Clare, Eva, and Ruth) and
one brother (George), all of whom predeceased her. Rose attended
Topeka High School and then Kansas University, with a degree in
music, primarily piano. While at KU she met and ultimately married
Herbert Sizemore, a law student several years older than she. After
graduation, the couple moved to Newton, Kansas where Herb began his
law practice. They were the parents of four children, three sons and
one daughter. Rose
taught piano lessons and Herb became
the Probate Judge.
Their lives were interrupted by World
War II. Herb enlisted and became an officer in the US Navy. After his
initial training he was assigned to San Francisco and Rose followed
him along with their firstborn son.
Since Herb was often at sea as the
gunnery officer on troop carriers Rose stayed with friends or family
members. In doing so, she traveled to San Francisco, New York and Los
Angeles. After Herb's discharge, they returned to Newton, KS., where
Herb renewed his judgeship and then entered private practice in
partnership with two other returning veterans. The firm continues to
this day with a grandson continuing the Sizemore presence in the
Newton legal community.
After Herb's death in 1985, Rose
remained in Newton and ultimately was courted by Billy Burton, of
Vacaville, CA. They married and later moved to Vacaville and then to
Santa Rosa. Billy, after a period of ill health, died in 2005.
Survivors include sons Mike (and wife
Judy) of Leawood, KS, Patrick, of Santa Rosa, CA, Herbert Hadley, Jr.
(and wife Mary) of McPherson, KS and Sarah of Santa Rosa, CA. Also
surviving are seven grandchildren/step grandchildren: Michael Brandon
Sizemore, Alicia (Ali) Mahaffy, Jay Sizemore, Adam Sizemore, Julie
Davis, Bo Jones and Christopher Jones. Rose had twelve great
grandchildren who loved the trips to see 'Gran Rose' in Santa Rosa.
She will be remembered by all as a
wonderful, independent and proper lady who was always immaculately
dressed and with wonderful taste. She was remarkable in her ability
to always see the good in others and very seldom did she have
anything negative to say about anyone. Her children could do no wrong
and she was supportive of all of them to the end of her days.
Although Rose was a member of St.
Patrick's Episcopal Church in Kenwood, CA., she has requested no
funeral or memorial service be conducted.
