Koran (Kelly) Hutton Burnett

Koran (Kelly) Hutton Burnett from Grayson, GA, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on January 17, 2025 at the age of 91.

Kelly was born November 27, 1933, to Edgar Lee and Olga Lurline Ray Hutton in Manila, AR. She was the youngest of her siblings: Orin Ray Hutton, Virginia Hutton Spears, and Edgar Lee Hutton Jr. Kelly was married to Olen (Ray) Burnett and had three children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Kelly’s children—Rhonda (Lynne) Willis Roberts, Laura (Leigh) Willis and Marvin Henry Willis III—were with her first husband, Marvin Henry Willis Jr., whom she married in Memphis, TN. In 1967, the family moved to Decatur, GA. The couple later divorced.

As a single mother, Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science, Master of Education (M.Ed.), and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees at Georgia State University. She had a passion for working with special needs students and served as an assistant, classroom teacher, and lead teacher during her career at the DeKalb County School System. Kelly retired in 1997.

Kelly married Ray Burnett July 29, 1976, and the family settled in Stone Mountain, GA. They moved to Grayson, GA, in 1994.

A strong supporter of the National Federation of Grandmothers Clubs of America, Kelly served in many leadership positions, including multiple terms as president, for more than a decade. During her tenure, the Federation raised record-breaking funds for CURE Childhood Cancer. In addition, she was a long-standing active member at First Baptist Snellville. A life-long learner, she had a deep interest in Bible study and was thrilled when she finally traveled to Israel to connect the scripture with the Holy Land.

Her passions included spending time with family, traveling, entertaining friends, cooking, gardening, reading, sewing, dancing, attending theater and musicals, listening to music, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and playing card games.

She is survived by her second husband; children Lynne Roberts (Mike) of Loganville, GA, Leigh Willis of Grayson, GA, and Marvin Willis III (Jill) of Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren Amanda Roberts Stein of Knoxville, TN, Michael Ryan Roberts of Loganville, GA, Meagan Nicole Roberts of Boston, MA, Dr. Julia Willis Grove (Andrew) of Duluth, GA, and Marvin Henry Willis IV of Flowery Branch, GA; and great grandchildren Matthew Noah Stein and Madeline Kelly Stein of Marietta, GA.

Kelly will be laid to rest in the Flowery Branch, GA, Memorial Park South Cemetery after a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Kelly Burnett to CURE Childhood Cancer, 200 Ashford Center North, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30338. Donations may also be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association-Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center E., Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.