Mary Kathryn Burden

Mary Kay Burden (Lander) passed away on Saturday, March 8 2025, with family by her side.

Mary Kay was born on December 27, 1944 and grew up in Lafayette, Kentucky. The family moved to Clarksville in 1955 where she would go on to graduate from Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University. She later taught math at Clarksville High School where she met her husband of 55 years, math teacher, coach, and local legend Dan Burden. She was a librarian for 16 years with the Montgomery County school system, retiring in 2003.

Mary Kay was a member of the Madison Street United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee for 70 years and, even after moving out of town, rarely missed a virtual Sunday service.

Mary Kay loved animals, gardening, and spending time with family and her beloved group of friends, the “Lunch Bunch”. Her loved ones adored her gentle spirit, fantastic sense of style, and fun-loving nature. She enjoyed frequent trips to the beach, Disney World, and even the Big Apple.

Within the last few years, Mary Kay and Dan were blessed to move to the beautiful and idyllic Weiss Lake in Centre, Alabama with their daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law Blake. Mary Kay spent her time enjoying serene lake views, boat rides, watching Alabama football, and indulging in more cinnamon bread than Publix could keep in stock. She was well loved and cared for by her family as well as a loving team of caregivers: Donna, Johnnie, Bre, Tameka, and Charity. Her daughter, Ginger, and her husband, Lindsey, visited often from Nashville, Tennessee.

Mary Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Grant Lander and David Wells Lander. She is survived by her husband, Dan Burden, and daughters Amanda (Blake Boozer) and Ginger (Lindsey Boise). She is also survived by her brothers John Lander (Carolyn, Susan, Adam David) and Bill Lander (Rita, Meredith, David) as well as her husband’s family.

The family will be holding a private graveside service on March 12, 2025. Pallbearers will be Blake Boozer, Lindsey Boise, Kurt Kujawa, and Tom Creech.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the ALS Association to support their efforts in advancing ALS research and providing care services and advocacy for those living with ALS.  www.als.org