Mary Elizabeth Burney, 83, of Mt. Vernon, passed away December 16, 2019, at Greentree, in Mt. Vernon.

She was born on February 8, 1936, in Hickoryhill, Illinois, the daughter of James William and Stella A. (Keen) McCord.  On November 27, 1953, at Wayne City Baptist Church, she married Rev. Clifford Burney, and he preceded her in death on June 2, 2018.

She was a graduate of Wayne City High School, and followed her husband to several area churches, where he served as minister.

Mrs. Burney is survived by two sons, Derrell Burney and wife Anita of Dix, and Bradley Burney of Mt. Vernon;  Three granddaughters, Nena Rightnowar of Bluford, Candice Richardson and husband David of Mt. Vernon, and Monica Otoide and husband Nicholas of Champaign;  Two great-grandsons, Walker Rightnowar of Bluford, and Malcolm Richardson of Mt. Vernon;  Two brothers, Murvin McCord and wife Virginia of Wayne City, and Billie McCord and wife Barbara of Tennessee;  and two sisters-in-law, Betty McCord and Lois McCord.

In addition to her husband, Rev. Clifford Burney, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Dallas Burney; and two brothers, Ralph McCord and Paul McCord.

Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Pastor Chris Hottensen officiating.  A Graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon), at Thomason Cemetery, in Wayne City.  Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix.  Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Diapers and More Ministry, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830.

Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.