Burton, a graduate of Athens High School in 1978, was a multi-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball and track & field. 

In basketball and volleyball, she was All-Area and All-Region. 

As a senior for Athens, Burton was a state champion in shotput, discus, 440 and mile relays as Athens would win the state track meet. At the time, the team set state records for both relays. 

At the collegiate level, Burton wanted to play both basketball and volleyball. Despite being heavily recruited by legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt of Tennessee, she would end up going to West Georgia College, where they allowed her to play both sports.

Burton was a two-sport star for four years at West Georgia College. She was a three-time team MVP in volleyball and two-time MVP in basketball. 

She helped lead West Georgia to state championships in basketball and volleyball. Her individual honors in basketball included being named ‘Georgia Small College Player of the Year’ by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club and West Georgia College ‘Female Athlete of the Year.’ 

“Mary is an outstanding individual and a dominating athlete,” said her high school coach Tee Jackson. “In volleyball, she was known for dominating the net with spikes and blocks. She was an outstanding basketball player and helped Athens High School set the state record in the mile relay in track and field. She was simply a winner.”