Esther Thompson Burch

Esther Lois Thompson Burch, 89, of Charlotte, left us to join her spouse of nearly 65 years on Thursday, June 18, 2015, from Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. Esther was born in Blue Ridge, VA, on September 7, 1925, the daughter of Robert Henry Thompson and Mary Malinda Mabry. She graduated from Colonial High School and continued working as a telegraph operator for Norfolk & Western Railroad, from which she received a Letter of Commendation for preventing a major railway accident. She worked for N&W until the time of her marriage on September 2, 1950, to John Allen Burch, Jr. , in Blue Ridge, Virginia, and together they moved from Roanoke, VA, to Charlotte in 1963. As her children grew older, she continued her work career first at Delmar Printing and then later as a ward secretary at Mercy Hospital, from where she retired. She was a member of Sharon Forest Baptist Church. With a house full of children involved in various sports and activities and a husband who was just as busy with the children's sports and activities and his job, she was the glue who held it all together, and she will be missed by all who loved her. Esther is survived by five children: Melinda (Scott) Rossi of Cary, NC, Chip Burch of Jacksonville, NC, Chuck (Franki) Burch of Boiling Springs, NC, Mary Ellen (Chip) Stuart of Warner Robins, GA, and David (Sarah) Burch of Reston, Virginia; thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer, Amy, Patrick, Tammy, Travis, Danielle, Amy, Katie, Abbie, Austin, Kelley, Ryan, and Madison; and four great grandchildren: Jenna, William, Bailey, and Hudson. She is further survived by one sister, Ruth Thompson Gunderson of California, and numerous other family and friends. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, John (March 18, 2015), her parents; a son, Bobby, in 2000; and eleven brothers and sisters. Esther’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for them at this time. Services honoring the life and blessing of Esther will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, June 24, in the chapel of the funeral home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC, 28105. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 PM until time of service. Following the service, Esther will be taken in formal procession to her final place of earthly rest at Sunset Memory Gardens in Charlotte. The family would appreciate memorials and time to Hearts and Hammers at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. You can find them online at http://www.myhickorygrove.org/livesent/hearts-hammers/

Esther Thompson Burch

September 7, 1925 - June 18, 2015