Miriam Esther Nichols Burton of Ninety Six passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 19th at Self Regional after a sudden and brief illness. She was born June 7, 1919, to Tillman Sidney and Nettie Lee Shealy Nichols and was the last surviving sibling of ten children. She grew up as a neighbor to her late husband, Joseph Ransom Burton. She traveled with him while he was a solider in WWII, later settling down in Ninety Six to raise six children together at the Burton family home. Mrs. Burton was affectionately called Mudder by her 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Besides her love and dedication to her family, she enjoyed spending time outdoors working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Having a big heart, she cared for many during her lifetime including nursing back to health a variety of lost or injured animals. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, the Mattie Hazel Circle and Wesleyan Sunday School Class and was a member of the Homemakers Club of Clemson Extension. Surviving are children, Betty (Ronnie) Long and Beverly Burton of Greenwood, Joseph Ransom Burton, Jr. (Charlene) of Munford, AL, James S. Burton and Jeffrey B. Burton (Karen) of Ninety Six. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Miriam Celia Bell. Mrs. Burton was able to remain in her own home until her death with the dedicated assistance and love of her children and special caregivers, Amy Spencer for many years and, more recently, Vicky Hoag and Tina Thompson.