Mother Nellie Burns

Great Aunt of Association Staff member: Mr. Sanchez Burns - Turner

On a crisp autumn day in Terrell, Georgia, a star was born. Nellie Sailor a beacon of light, entered this world on November 27, 1927, to the proud parents of William Sailor and Essie Mae Lakes. Her journey through life was as vibrant and remarkable as she was.

Nellie's heart was captivated by the dashing Richard Burns. Their love story was sealed in matrimony on March 9, 1946. Together, they wove a tapestry of love and devotion, creating a legacy that spanned decades, until the day Richard was called to the heavens June 9, 2016.

Their love blossomed into a family of legends, with 14 children gracing their lives, each a testament to their enduring love and unity. Nellie, a woman of profound faith, welcomed Christ into her heart at a tender age. Her devotion found a home at The Great Moncrief Missionary Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida. For over 40 years, under the spiritual guidance of Reverend Dr. Quovadis G. Thomas Sr., she served with grace and humility on Usher Board #1 and as a Deaconess, until the twilight of her health whispered a gentle farewell.

Ma, as she was affectionately known, was a mosaic of style and substance. Her flair for fashion, her hats that spoke volumes, her nails painted in the hues of rainbows, were but a whisper of her vibrant soul. The aroma of her legendary biscuits, the heavenly taste of her famous potato and coconut pies, were not just food but expressions of her boundless love. No stranger, no hungry soul, ever left her table unfulfilled. Nellie was a woman of wisdom, her words always comforting to those who would listen.

She was employed for many years with the Kent family, where she was not just considered an employee but a cherished family member.

As Nellie embarks on her journey, she is lovingly embraced by those who went before: her parents William Sailor and Essie Lakes, her adored husband Richard Burns, her dear children Jimmy Dean, Louvenia, and Reginald Burns Sr., her granddaughter Sharon Hodges, great-grandchildren Santell Wade , LaToya Jones, Javon Jones, and great-great-granddaughters Angellica Coleman and R’Elle Jones, Khalil Burns along with her siblings Willie Sailor “Uncle Bud," Rochester Sailor, Rosa Lee Lawson, Precious, and Mary Smith,

She leave to carry on her memories and build upon her legacy Children; Ella Jones, Richard L. Burns Sr. (Sharon), Willie Burns (Sharon) , Bernice Wilcox, Patricia Sharrow (Kenny), Annette Edwards (Jeffery), Pastor Alonzo Burns Sr. (Sabrina), Gwen Latten, Joseph Burns, Thelma Jaudon (Wayne), Freddie Burns (Khadijah) and her dearest Niece Parthenia Sailor, 40-Grandchildren, 92- Great Grandchildren, 77-Great -Great Grandchildren, 6- Great - Great Great Grandchildren