Christopher Burden

Christopher Burden was born on July 15, 1950, to Peggy Burden in Miami, Florida who preceded him in death. Chris was the eldest of five children born to Ms. Burden. Preceding him in death, Patricia Spivey, Cookie Burden, William Burden and Peggy Burden. At age 12, his mother passed away suddenly resulting in him and his siblings going into foster care, where they were separately placed in various homes with foster families. Chris was taken in by an entrepreneurial woman who he affectionately regarded as Aunt Sain. An early real estate investor in Historic Overtown in the 1920s, she owned multiple properties where she rented out rooms to railroad and domestic workers. Before and after school, he would help her to care for the properties and tenants by gathering wood for cooking, cleaning up and other chores. His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, eventually made him an invaluable part of her business operation. He was educated in the Dade County Public School System. He attended Booker T. Washington High School, before leaving to start and support a family of his own by taking a job with the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department. He began as an entry level laborer. His punctuality, dedication and discipline made him the “go-to employee” when opportunities for advancement became available. He ultimately earned top supervisory positions as well as licensing and training as a heavy equipment’s operator. During his 27 years of service with the City of Miami, he received personal requests from leadership to complete special projects that could only be entrusted to someone with his skill level and attention to detail. One day while on the job, he was working on a project at one of the City’s beaches. While there he noticed a man struggling in the water and swam out to retrieve him. He pulled the man from eminent death, and applied CPR until medical providers could arrive. The swimmer survived and Chris was awarded with a special commendation from the Mayor that he cherished. He retired in 1995, at the age of 45. On August 6, 1969, at age 18, he was united in holy matrimony to Margaret Jackson, to whom he was married for 47 years before she preceded him in death. Through this union two children were born. Falayrium Trone Burden and Latrisa Shemone Brooks. Chris was a loving and devoted husband and father. He and his wife Margaret established a foundation for their children that ensured their future success. He also expressed his love as a strict disciplinarian. His high standards for honesty, fairness, education, faithfulness and order were seeds that he planted early and modeled always. As a younger man, he enjoyed playing sports. He played football as a member of the Overtown Swamp City Football League, trained in Nesi GoJu Ryu Karate where he obtained his black belt, and was an avid basketball and racquetball player. As he got older, he became a loving grandfather, who showered his grandchildren and great- grandchildren with more love and support than they had room to receive. Chris loved God immensely. He often started his day with devotionals and reading scripture. He deeply believed in the power of God and prayer and instilled that in his children. Chris was a longtime member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the video ministry for some time. He was also a 33-degree Mason, a supreme honor bestowed only on those who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Brotherhood. Precious memories will forever linger in the hearts of his loving family. A loving and devoted husband of 47 years who continued to take his wife Margaret who preceded him in death in 2017, but whose grave site he visited weekly with fresh flowers and affirmations. He leaves to mourn two children: Latrisa Brooks (Frank) and Falayrium Trone Burden (Ronald); five grandchildren: Deranisha Gainous (Brandon), Breanne Brooks, Ny’Gel Brooks, Alexander Smith-Burden, and Andrew Butler (Duong); two great- grandchildren: Bryce Lewis and Jonai Douglas; nieces: Laura Spivey, Nana Spivey, Linda Watson, Lucinda Mills, Vicky Mills, Theresa Byrd (Ernie), Mary Hill (Al), and Andrea Mills; nephews: Timothy Harris (Chonita), James Spivey, Vincent Spivey, John Spivey, Jr. (deceased), and James Mills (deceased), and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews and host of sorrowing friends.

Christopher Burden

July 15, 1950 - September 22, 2024

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