KILMARNOCK—Our precious, beautiful and beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marilyn Y. Burkholder, left us peacefully and with overwhelming love to be with our Lord on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 1:11 p.m. She was our voice of reason whose boundless love and wisdom conquered all adversity, within herself and in her relationships with others. She was the greatest gift God could have bestowed upon all who loved her, and she will live within us as a perfect model of strength, mercy, love and connection to our Lord and the world around us.
Marilyn was an academic enthusiast whose high intellect and superior work ethic allowed her to skip both the third and 11th grades and graduate as class valedictorian from Boonsboro High School in Lynchburg. This enabled her to graduate with her soon-to-be husband, with whom she also attended the University of Richmond, on a full academic scholarship. She graduated after only three years, as a married woman with a double major in mathematics and psychology, and was able to facilitate her husband’s education in hospital administration while simultaneously tutoring high school students.
Following the birth of her three children, she engaged in multiple civic activities, including being president of South Boston Junior Women’s Club, recording secretary of Halifax Community Hospital Auxiliary, president of Halifax Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.), South Boston Garden Club and service unit chairman of the South Boston Service Team for Girl Scouts. Somehow she also found time for a myriad of hobbies that included cooking, sewing, reading, playing tennis, golfing, sailing, canoeing and playing bridge. She was truly a larger-than-life woman who lived her life to the fullest extent but, most of all, was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Marilyn Y. Burkholder will be missed by each of the many lives she touched, and by all who loved her.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Walter Terry Yates and Vivian Minix Yates; her cherished husband and only romantic love for 65 years, Alfred Lee Burkholder Sr.; her adored first-born child, Alfred Lee Burkholder Jr.; and a sibling, Peggy Y. Vereen.
She is survived by her two loving children, Richard T. Burkholder and Brenda F. Burkholder; her loving grandchildren, Erik L. DeMario, Virginia E. DeMario, Marilyn B. Conner (Chad), Sarah B. Chuon (Tim), Alfred Lee “Trey” Burkholder III (Kendall) and Lleyton I. Burkholder; and great-grandchildren, Hunter and Harper Conner, and Kenlee, Liam, Levi and Bristol Burkholder.
The family would like to show their love and sincere appreciation to all the caregivers that took such good care with nurturing, love and support of Marilyn throughout the years.
A service of expression for our appreciation, gratitude and everlasting love for Marilyn Y. Burkholder will be conducted at 12:30 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2025, in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service in Lynchburg, by Dr. Tom Coye. The family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Following the service, she will be laid to her final rest of eternal peace, with our Lord, and joined beside the love of her life and developer of her dreams, Alfred Lee Burkholder Sr. in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 435 East Church Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory 427 Graves Mill Road Lynchburg, 434-239-2405, is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com.
23rd Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters; He restoreth my soul. He guides me to the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort and protect me. He prepareth a table before me in the presence of my enemies; He annointeth my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever and ever. Amen
