TITLE: Margaret Burns SOURCE: The Post and Courier, May 29, 2001 SUBMITTED: The Post and Courier FORMATTED: Kim Grissom, May 2001 *********************************************************************************************** BURNS, Margaret SUMTER, S.C. - Margaret Ellen Roper Burns, age 81, wife of the late Dr. Cornelius Benton Burns, died on Sunday, May 27, 2001, at a local hospital. She was a native of South Carolina, born in Clio, the daughter of the late Thomas Wesley and Theodora Ortmann Roper. She received her education at the University of South Carolina and graduated from U.S. Navy Midshipman Training School, Smith College, Northampton, Mass., and the U.S. Navy Graduate School of Supply at Harvard University, Radcliffe Branch. During World War II, she served three and a half years in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Purchasing and Supply Officer. She also served as Women's Reserve Representative for seven activities of the 12th Naval District in San Francisco. On October 23, 1943, she was the sponsor and christened the USN Destroyer Escort USS Major, DE 796 at the Consolidated Steel Corporation, LTD, Shipbuilding Division in Orange, Texas. This honor gave her the privilege of a membership in the Society of Sponsors United States Navy in which she was a Life Member. While stationed in New Orleans "Maisie" met her husband, C. Benton Burns, M.D. FAAP, who was a practicing pediatrician in Sumter. Between college and her Navy Career, she was the confidential clerk that prepared the payroll and the cost accounting for the salaried employees of the E.I. Dupont Co., in Richmond, Va. The Women's Auxiliary to the S.C. Medical Association was one of "Maisie's" first loves. She was active in local, state and regional affairs, served in many offices and as committee chairman. She was twice the president of the Sumter-Clarendon Auxiliary and State President 1964-1965. She was honored with a Life Membership in the State Organization. For 24 years she worked in the Girl Scouts as a lone troop leader, raising money to bring Sumter Girl Scouts into the Congaree Area Council in all phases - a Brownie leader, a Junior leader, a Neighborhood chairman and Neighborhood Board member. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother and PTA room mother for 12 consecutive years. Her Garden Club activities included, past president of the Sumter Garden Club, Sumter Council of Garden Clubs, Sumter National Accredited Judges Club (she was a Master Flower Show Judge). She received life membership in Sumter Council of Garden Clubs, Garden Club of S.C., and the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Ten years on the State Board of the Garden Clubs of S.C. and was also an accredited Landscape Appraiser. Her Civic activities included, sustaining member of the Sumter Junior Welfare League. Conducted membership drives for the Sumter Little Theatre and served three years as Vice President. Co-Chairman of Sumter County Historical Commission from 1980-1983. She completed eight years on the City of Sumter Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, serving the last two years as chairman. She served on the S.C. Governor's Council for Arts and Humanities in 1966 and worked in establishing the Sumter Gallery of Art. She was a charter member of the Sumter Artist's Guild and the Gallery of Art. She was Chairman of the Mother's March of Dimes serving from 1961-1964. She was on the fund-raising committee for the building of the Garden Center in Sumter and served on the original committee for Historic Camden and was S.C. Chairman of the Committee that made application and received award for making the city of Sumter a "Tree City USA." She was listed in The South Carolina Lives 1963, Marquis Who's Who of American Women 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions from 1964-1969, Who's Who in the South and Southwest 1967-1968, Directory of International Biography 1966 and in the National Social Directory. Her membership included, DAR, Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America, Carolinianna Society, S.C. Historical Society, Sumter County Historical Society, Friends of St. Mark Episcopal Church, U.S. Navy Supply Corps Association, University of S.C. Alumni Association, Society of Sponsors U.S. Navy, South Carolina Readers Club, Sumter Art Association, Colonial Dames XVII Century and S.C. Medical Association Auxiliary. Her hobbies included, family projects, painting, drawing, quilting, sewing and updating the family histories. She was voted S.C. State Mother of the Year and was President of the S.C. Medical Auxiliary. Her church activities included, serving on the Bishop's committee for establishing St. Christopher Episcopal Mission in Sumter, Adult Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, President of the Church, Altar Guild Chairman and first woman elected to Vestry of the St. Christopher Mission. As a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter, she was Chairman of Altar Guild and a member of the choir. Surviving are, one son, Cornelius "Neil" Benton Burns, Jr., of Atlanta, Ga.; three daughters, Henrietta "Henri" Burns Wade and her husband, Robert, of Aiken, S.C., Margaret "Sue" Burns Smoak and her husband, John, of Charleston, S.C., and Cornelia "Tootie" Burns Adams and her husband, Jim, of Sumter, S.C.; one brother, Thomas Roper Chambers of Louisville, Ky.; two sisters, Harriett Chambers Wilson of Louisville, Ky., and Jacqueline Roper Stackhouse of Waynesville, N.C.; five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Anita Roper Fogg. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Comforter with Rev. John Barr officiating. Burial will follow in the Quaker Cemetery in Camden, S.C. Pallbearers will be, Moultrie Burns, Jr., James Burns, John M. Burns, Major General Julian Burns, John D. Smoak, III, Baxter Smoak, Benton Wade, and David Adams. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Mary Elizabeth Blanchard, Tillian Cuttino, Tom Foster, Robert Hazelhurst, John Hoar, Robert James, Vaughn Jennings, Ross McKenzie, Lovick Mims, Dr. Davis Moise, Richard Reiger, Dr. Jack Rhame, and Dr. Hugh Stoddard. The family will receive friends, Tuesday, May 29, 2001, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the residence. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Holy Comforter Building Fund, 213 North Main St., Sumter, S.C. 29150. BULLOCK FUNERAL HOME OF SUMTER is in charge of arrangements. *********************************************************************************************** NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commerical individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 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