Mary Sheppard Burton of Germantown, MD, was born December 5, 1922, in Salisbury, MD. In 1940, she graduated from Wicomico High School. On September 6, 1941, she married Charles H. Burton of Washington, DC, and they settled in Montgomery County, Maryland. This is where Mary began to pursue her calling as a rug-hooking artist. Because of Mary’s outstanding talent and devotion to her art, she became an internationally renowned rug-hooking artist and teacher. She was an inspiration to all who met her. Some of her beautiful rugs may be seen at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Mary was recently nominated for induction into the Rug Hookers Hall of Fame.

Charles, her husband of 62 years, died in 2003. Mary is survived by four children: Nancy Wysling and husband, Carl; Susan Roberts; Mary Ellen Bailey; Sheppard Burton and wife, Debbie. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Lori Neville and husband, Tommy; Amy Hawkins; Jenny Zamora and husband, Chris; Meghan Jacobs and husband, Matt; Cathy Martin and husband, T.J.; John Wysling and three great grandchildren: Sidney and Jacob Neville, and Tyler Cosey.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010, at 1:00 pm at Ceresville Mansion, 8529 Liberty Road, Frederick, MD. 21701.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity or the Boyds Presbyterian Church, 19901 White Ground Rd., Boyds, MD 20841.