Tributes

Eula Mae Octavia Shepherd Burns was born on December 12, 1932 to the late Lewis and Lottie Council Shepherd in Bear Grass, North Carolina. She was the second of four children that God blessed to their union. Early in life she learned the importance of hard work and valued the benefits of having an education. Eula was the first on both sides of her family to earn a high school diploma and a college degree. She graduated with the Class of 1951 from Williamston Colored High School, known today as E.J. Hayes School in Williamston, North Carolina. She continued her educational journey pursuing a degree in Elementary Education from Elizabeth City Teacher’s College. Before graduating Eula married her high school sweetheart, Artist “Duke” Burns in 1953. Into this union, six children were born. She later graduated with a BS degree from what is known today as Elizabeth City State University in 1957. Eula taught at East End Elementary School for thirty-two years, chronicling photographs and activities of each class. During this tenure as an educator, Eula was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. In 1976, doctors told her she six months to live, but… God had other plans. It was at that moment in time she promised God that if He would spare her life, she would completely dedicate her life to Him. With this promise and a new found purpose, her plight in life not only became educating individuals academically, but spiritually as well. Even after retirement, her good works continued as she held regular Bible Studies with her children and grandchildren. Eula was a devoted prayer warrior who enjoyed giving of herself unconditionally in more ways than one. She visited nursing homes, provided community service for the sick and shut-in as well as volunteered for the Martin County Board of Elections for over a decade. It was common place for Eula to show love, compassion, and kindness to all of those with whom she came in contact. Eula was actively involved in her church and served several roles as a member at the House of Refuge. In addition to serving her church family, Eula was an active member in the Martin County United Senior Citizens Association. Whether near or far, Eula enjoyed traveling. While she has traveled extensively to various states and other countries, her most memorable were three visits to the Holy Land. Her motivation for going each time was “I Just Wanted to Walk Where Jesus Walked”. Eula also devoted time to projects she held dear to her heart, one of which was studying and researching the Bible yearly. Each year began with Genesis and ended with the Book of Revelation. There are countless notes and highlights of these studies. Another hobby was historical scrapbooking. She researched as well as collected magazine articles, newspaper clippings and pictures of sites and people within families and the community. With this she compiled numerous collections of historical events, family trees, and connections of the past with the present, most of which revealed the life journeys of many. Mother Burns, as she was affectionately known, will be sorely missed, yet her spirit will live on in the hearts of many. Preceding her in death was her husband, Artist “Duke” Burns and two sons, Ernie Burns and Artist “Ronie” Burns. She leaves to cherish her memory; three sons, Daryal Burns, Ameche Burns (Gwen), all of Robersonville, NC, Gene Burns of Durham, NC; one daughter, LaBrena Burns of Durham, NC; a daughter-in-law, Bertha Burns; four grandchildren, Artist Tyrone Burns, Jr., Clarissa Burns Evans (Shaun), Providancia Burns, and Uri Burns; three great-grandchildren , Arianna Evans, Aleana Evans, and Qhamani Harrison; one brother-in-law, three sisters-in-laws, a dear friend for sixty-seven years Ms. Eva Ward, and a special cousin Mary Lucille Land, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tributes

Ms. Eula Burns

December 12, 1932 - December 4, 2014