Claude Franklin “Frank” Burney
Claude Franklin “Frank” Burney
Claude Franklin “Frank” Burney, 71, peacefully passed away at home, December 16, 2025. A memorial service will be at 1pm
PM, Sunday, February 1st at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh,NC 27608. The family will receive friends after the service.
Frank was born March 10,1954 in Durham, NC to the late Virgil Franklin Burney and Evelyn Mae Burney. After graduating from Enloe High School in Raleigh, he earned a BS in Pharmacy from UNC- Chapel Hill. During his 5th and final year at UNC, Frank was introduced to his future spouse, Lisa Shackelford, and by Spring semester, the friend who introduced them, insisted Lisa and Frank go out on a date. Not long after indulging their friend, they both realized they were meant for each other. After college, Frank began his career in retail pharmacy with Revco in Wilkesboro, NC. As fate would have it, Lisa took a teaching position in North Wilkesboro and by Christmas 1977, they were engaged. They married July 29,1978, moved back to Raleigh soon thereafter to start a family, spend time with family and friends and attend more UNC football and basketball games. In 2001 after a long career with Revco/CVS Frank, lured away by the promise of no Sunday hours, went to work with Foodlion Drugs. Lisa immediately recruited him to teach children’s Sunday school. Much to his surprise, he grew to become a devoted, beloved and confident Preschool Sunday Team leader for the next 20 years. He retired from Foodlion in 2022 to travel with family and friends, spend more time at Kure Beach, attend UNC games, enjoy dinners out with the ROMEO’s and coffee chats with close friends. In December 2023, the new love of his life, Lucy Burney, made him a Gaga.
Frank was unpretentious, generous, genuine and trustworthy. He treated his patients with compassion, his colleagues with respect and his family and friends with loving care. His quiet, calm demeanor was a counterpoint to his big laugh and quick wit.
Frank is survived by his wife, Lisa; his brother Robert of North Myrtle Beach; son Chris Burney, his wife Carly Warner and granddaughter Lucille “Lucy” Burney of Durham; son Ian Burney and partner Samantha Jensen of Fuquay-Varina; 5 nieces, 3 nephews, 2 great nieces and 5 great nephews.
Due to allergies, the family requests in lieu of flowers please consider making memorial contributions to Hayes Barton UMC Pastors’ Discretionary Fund or Music Ministry 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC 27608.