
Catheran Burney
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Mary Catheran Wheeler Burney, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on August 27, 2022. She was 94 and died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. In addition to caring for her family throughout her long and joyful life, she spent 40 years working at the Walker County Telephone Company and was active in many community organizations.
Mary Catheran was born on October 24, 1927 in LaFayette, Georgia, one of five children of Louise Blaylock Wheeler and Clint M. Wheeler. She married Edward P. Burney in 1947 and they enjoyed 54 years together until his passing in 2002. Mary Catheran's career began as an assistant to Dr. R.C. Shephard in LaFayette. She then worked with her husband at the Walker County Telephone Company and was named CEO following his retirement. Beginning with two employees, they grew the company to 38 employees, always working tirelessly to bring the most up-to-date technology to their customers.
Mary Catheran served as President of the LaFayette Woman's Club, and was honored as Woman of the Year for the 7th district of the Women's Club of Georgia. She was Secretary and Treasurer of the Georgia Independent Telephone Association and Chairman of Ministries for the First United Methodist Church of LaFayette. She was the first woman elected to the city council of LaFayette, where she and Edward were the first and possibly only husband and wife to serve on the council.
She lived a life of devotion to her family and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her favorite things included her dogs Honey Girl and Precious, Atlanta Braves baseball, Nashville Predators hockey, and hummingbirds.
She was preceded in death by husband Edward Burney; son-in-law Michael Walters; parents Louise and Clint Wheeler; siblings Clint Wheeler Jr., Frances Louise Lowrance, Sidney Ann Johnson, and Muriel Wheeler; and chosen son Bill Hines.
Mary Catheran is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Susan and Sam Turner, Leah Webb, Nancy Walters, Grace and Tim Westbrook; grandchildren and spouses Tara Baker, Tiffany and Stacy Teeters, Courtney and Justin Eoff, Burney and Sarah Skates, Allison Webb and Steve Ritter, Burton Webb, Chloe and Dewayne Johnson, and Sophie, Edward and Clint Westbrook. She is survived by 13 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and chosen daughters Mona Hines and Teresa Stephenson.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 2, in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor Sam Turner officiating.
Interment at the LaFayette City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Burney Skates, Burton Webb, McKehan Baker, Edward Westbrook, Samuel Teeters and Jack Teeters. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Westbrook, Stacy Teeters, Steve Ritter, Clint Westbrook, Josh Westbrook, Dewayne Johnson, Kai Ritter, Brodie Eoff, Justin Eoff, Jess Baker and Charlie Skates.
In 2021, Mary Catheran wrote: "Of all the things I have learned in life, the most important one is to love and be loved in return."
Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 12 p.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation: 830 Glenwood Avenue Suite 510, Box 405, Atlanta, GA 30316, or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
