Home > United States of America > North Carolina > Watauga County > Cove Creek Cemetery > Velma Rose Combs Burnley

Velma Rose Combs Burnley

Birth	:	14 Nov 1921 Vilas, Watauga County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	19 Mar 2019 Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Cove Creek Cemetery, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate	:	36.2710991, -81.7774963
Description	:	First female mayor of Boone, North Carolina. From The Watauga Democrat: The first woman to become mayor of Boone, holding the role for 16 years, died at the age of 97. Burnley was elected to the Boone Town Council in 1987, elected as the town’s mayor two years later and served in the role until 2005. Burnley also served on the area board for Rural Economic Development, was the second woman to become president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Watauga County Humane Society. “She never took any... Read More	First female mayor of Boone, North Carolina. From The Watauga Democrat: The first woman to become mayor of Boone, holding the role for 16 years, died at the age of 97. Burnley was elected to the Boone Town Council in 1987, elected as the town’s mayor two years later and served in the role until 2005. Burnley also served on the area board for Rural Economic Development, was the second woman to become president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Watauga County Humane Society. “She never took any personal glory for what she did,” Kellam said. “She acted like it was something she was called to do, and did it. She was devoted. She always gave her 100 percent, whatever she did.” Former Mayor Loretta Clawson served in the role after Burnley, and said she served on the Boone Town Council with Burnley for eight years. Clawson said Burnley was a kind and vibrant person who lived a long and useful life. Burnley and Clawson became the namesakes for the Clawson-Burnley Park located in Boone. Clawson said this was one of the highlights of her time working with Burnley, as so much work had gone into the project. “I certainly enjoyed the years serving with Velma,” Clawson said. “She was a true professional. We got to be good friends.” Clawson shared her sympathies to Burnley’s family during this time. Burnley was born in Vilas to Rose and Charles Combs. She graduated from Cove Creek High School at the age of 16, Kellam said. Afterwards, Burnley attended Queens College — now known as Queens University of Charlotte — and later started working for Northwestern Bank. She then got married and had her only child, Kellam. Burnley went on to become the vice president of Northwestern Bank and credited the networking she did at the bank with the people of Boone as the reason she was elected to the mayoral role, according to Kellam. Kellam described Burnley as a personable woman, a wonderful mother and as a maverick. Kellam said even though Burnley may not have had hardly any money at times, she would make sure Kellam had what was needed. She added that her mother was an avid reader and would read more books than anyone she had ever known. “She would go to the library and check out six or seven books, read them by Friday, take them back and get some more,” Kellam said. Burnley would often stay with Kellam in Charlotte during the winter months and live in Boone when it was warmer. Kellam said her mother later retired from her activities and moved to Charlotte full time around five years ago. Burnley would still enjoy reading books to pass the time, Kellam said.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Velma Rose Combs Burnley's memorial?
Velma Rose Combs Burnley's memorial is located at: Cove Creek Cemetery, Watauga County, USA.
When did Velma Rose Combs Burnley death?
Velma Rose Combs Burnley death on 19 Mar 2019 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Velma Rose Combs Burnley's memorial?
Latitude: 36.2710991
Longitude: -81.7774963

Family Members:

Parent

Rose Lee Mast Combs Lane

(1903 - 1973)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Cove Creek Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2710991, -81.7774963

2. Henson Chapel Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2771988, -81.7810974

3. Squire Adams Cemetery
Cove Creek Township, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2771300, -81.7650280

4. Jeremiah Glenn Cemetery
Cove Creek Township, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2616500, -81.7872400

5. Adams Cemetery
Cove Creek Township, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2766540, -81.7590200

6. Fletcher Cemetery
Amantha, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2850500, -81.7871900

7. Benjamin Councill Cemetery
Boone, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2461100, -81.7678711

8. Mabel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Mabel, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.3027611, -81.7704163

9. Adams Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2400017, -81.7466965

10. Forest Grove Upper Cemetery
Forest Grove, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.3052170, -81.8050790

11. Eggers Cemetery
Cove Creek Township, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.3111600, -81.7640800

12. Greer Cemetery
Lovill, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2350006, -81.7457962

13. Culler Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2817001, -81.7228012

14. Skyland Cemetery
Boone, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2799988, -81.7219009

15. Jacob Sands Cook Cemetery
Bethel, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2879500, -81.8305500

16. Norris Family Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2885100, -81.8305700

17. Hollars Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2368300, -81.7352000

18. Church Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2238998, -81.7913971

19. Love Cemetery
Bethel, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2640500, -81.8373300

20. Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2467003, -81.8321991

21. Farthing Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2465600, -81.8327400

22. Solomon Trivette Cemetery
Bethel, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2653100, -81.8451700

23. C.S. Farthing Cemetery
Bethel, Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.2955850, -81.8428440

24. Lower Beaverdam Cemetery
Watauga County, USA
Coordinate: 36.3090515, -81.8329315