Frances Ballew Burton-Cochran

Frances (Ballew) Burton-Cochran of Calhoun, Georgia passed away peacefully on April 21st, 2023 at the age of 87 from complications of heart disease. 

Frances was born on May 13th, 1935 in Fairmount, Georgia to the late Carter Tate Ballew and Alice Florence (Clark) Ballew. She married Ernest Burton in 1953. While he was stationed at Fort Dix, Frances rode the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan for her job on Wall Street.  After returning to Calhoun and working for Hiwassee Land Company, she and Ernest started Burton Carpet which she continued to run for many years after his death.  She became an Edward Jones Financial Advisor in 1993 and retired as a Limited Partner.  During her years with the company, she earned the opportunity to travel the world with loved ones including trips to Asia, Australia, Central America and Europe. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Ernest Burton and her second husband, Ernest Cochran.  Frances is survived by her son, Brian Burton, her daughter, Valerie Burton Cowles (Steve), her grandchildren: Melanie McBrearty (Colin), Burton Cowles (Hannah) and Mackinly Taylor, three great-grandchildren: Blair McBrearty, Olivia McBrearty and Ray Cowles, her cousin, Betty Jean Owens, who was like a sister to her, and Bett’s daughter, Kelly Fuquea. Frances leaves behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, and love.

She was a devoted member of Calhoun First Baptist Church and the Mattie Lou Strain Sunday School Class. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren, FaceTiming with her great-grands, and group texting with friends while watching her Atlanta Braves.  She had a love for cardinals… the birds, NOT the team! 

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 24th, 2023 from 4pm until 7pm at Calhoun First Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be conducted on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at 3pm at Calhoun First Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Calhoun First Baptist Church Building Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Frances (Ballew) Burton- Cochran