Beech Tree News Network

Charles Raymond Burden, 83, of Morgantown, Ky., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, Ky.  He was born in Butler Co., Ky. on Sept. 25, 1937 to the late Atlas and Euva Ilene Embry Burden.  He was a member of First Baptist Church.  Raymond worked as an educator and he loved to play golf, watch all types of sports and mow the yard. He also loved spending time with his family.  After attending and graduating from Butler County High School he attended Middle Tennessee State University on a basketball scholarship and then returned to Kentucky to begin his career as an educator in 1961.  Here is an overview of his educational career:  61-62 Barren Co., 62-67 Butler Co Teacher/Coach, 67-74 BCHS Assistant Principal/Coach, 74-81 BCHS Assistant Principal, 81-84 BCHS Principal, 84-87 Special Programs Coordinator, 87-88 4th District Elementary Principal.  He retired in 1988 after a 27 year career. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers Robert, Darrell and Vick Burden and one sister Loretta Tracy.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Cilicia Hays Burden of Morgantown; children John Atlas Burden of Morgantown; Ann Rhea Burden of Morgantown; siblings Dale Burden (Mary) of Bowling Green, Sue Burden of Morgantown, Randy Burden (Polly) of Bowling Green, Patty Carr (Rick) of Morgantown;  sisters-in-law Nancy Burden and Pat Burden; brother-in-law Larry Tracy and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2pm at Smith Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at the Hill Haven Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 5pm-8pm and Sunday, Jan. 31 from 10:00 AM until time of service.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 195, Morgantown, KY  42261 or Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC  28607.

Everyone must wear a mask and social distancing is required.  No outside food or drink may be brought in.

Visit our website www.smithfuneralhomeky.com to share any condolences, memories or photos of  Raymond or light a memorial candle.