Obituaries

Chantel Lee Burton, 26, passed away on May 31, 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born in Apple Valley, California to Darrell and Natasha (Dancer) Burton on December 18, 1992. Chantel attended Sierra High School in Manteca, California. Not only was she intelligent, but also a student athlete; playing volleyball and throwing shotput and discus for the track & field team. She enlisted in the United States Air Force immediately after graduating in 2011; proudly and honorably serving our country for 6 years from November 2011 to November 2017. Chantel obtained her Associates Degree in Logistics from the Community College of the Air Force in 2017. Although most of her service was spent stationed at Offutt Air Base in Omaha, Nebraska; Airman Burton also had the opportunity to deploy and complete assignments in Japan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman where her fierce desire to travel was born. Her generosity and care of those she loved always manifested in her sharing pieces of places she visited. Amazingly, she would find something for everyone to expose them to countries outside of America. She formed numerous friendships throughout her enlistment and continues to have people who care about her spread across the globe.

Chantel moved to Anchorage in February 2018 and attended the University of Alaska. She became heavily involved in the performing arts scene and submersed herself into learning about live music, writing poetry, spoken word and the behind the scene workings of local band and artist productions. She was also an absolute foodie and not only enjoyed baking, but also exploring new menus, cultural cuisines and supporting small businesses. She had an obsession with fancy watches and all things Victoria’s Secret. Despite her expensive taste, you could still win her over with peanut butter M&M’s, Madeline cookies or a bag of California Pistachios.

Chantel had a zest for life and would meticulously plan trips down to the smallest detail, but was also not afraid to pick up and take a spontaneous weekend road trip to meet friends or attend special occasions. Her on-the-go life was balanced by her love of television and movies (all while wrapped up in her fleece blankets or footie pajamas). Chantel’s light BURNED BRIGHT. She accomplished, explored and saw more in her 26 years than some do in their entire multi-decade lifespan. Although she often wore a beautiful smile on her face, life left invisible scars that Chantel could not find the inner resources to heal. Her kindred spirit has touched many and her presence is irreplaceable.

Chantel is preceded in death by her mother, Natasha Burton and grandparents: Darrell Sr. & Vera Burton and Arthur Deeming. She is survived by her parents: Darrell and Jenelle Burton; Siblings: Tazia, Randall, Jamal, Jalahna, Ophelia and Mila; Grandparents: Sandra Deeming, Daniel and Juanita Trammell; Nephews/Niece: Kamoree, Jasper and Natasha. Chantel’s tribe runs beyond immediate family and she will be missed by countless cousins, aunts, uncles, bonus mamas, friends and many others whose lives she has touched.

Viewing and Memorial services will be hosted at Fremont Memorial Chapel on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm and Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Church of Christ 3354 San Pablo Ave. Oakland, California at 11 am.

“Those we love can never be more than a thought away…for as long as there’s a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.”