Ellen Virginia Burton
August 22, 1923 - May 27, 2019
Ellen Virginia Burton, affectionately known as “Bay” by family and friends, and “V.B.” by her co-workers, was born August 22, 1923 in Harris County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late, Addis and Ocie Lee Brittian.
Virginia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Roe’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she played both piano and organ. She remained a faithful member who served as a Delegate to the United Methodist Conference, as a member of the United Methodist Women, and the Church Choir.
She attended East Depot High School, and later became employed by the then, City-County Hospital. In 1946, after working one week as a maid to fill in for a vacationing worker in the Dietary Department; she began working in the Laboratory as an assistant to the sole technician employed at that time. She steadily advanced in skill and capability to a position of responsibility, and through self-motivation and perseverance, became the first African-American Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist.
During her tenure at the hospital, she became the first African-American supervisor and earned the distinction of being the first African-American named ‘Employee of the Year’. A 1967 newspaper article stated, “it would be impossible to state how many lives V. B. has saved with her countless matches of blood, bleeding of donors, hematology, and other lab work. She is equally skilled at bacteriology, chemistry, serology, and clinical microscopy.” The chief technician stated in a 1971 article that she could perform the required jobs in every department in the laboratory and asserted, “she can do everything.” V. B. retired from the Hospital after forty-one years of dedicated service.
Being very talented and a perfectionist in all of her crafts, she was said to have a “green thumb” and would require water at a specific temperature to water her many plants. She also maintained a spotless home and could expertly remove stains from any fabric, carpet, or material. Although cleaning was her specialty, she also honed her cooking skills, becoming famous for her Banana Split Cake.
After retirement, she joined the Golden Age Club and the Rochelle Federated Club along with her mother, who was a charter member of both. She became an active volunteer in several community organizations and focused much of her time on providing assistance and transportation to Senior Citizens. She also found time to become an expert in making ceramics.
Known for always being neat and meticulous about her appearance, Bay never wore a pair of pants and never went out without wearing stockings and a slip in her ninety-five years of life. One staff member at her assisted living facility shared a recent incident in which the facility was short-staffed and staff tried to save time by dressing everyone for bed before dinner. Ms. Burton balked to the point of tears because she did not want to enter the dining room in pajamas.
Her greatest source of pride were the accomplishments of her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, who became the first African-American Clayton County Commissioner; followed by those of her granddaughter, Mauri deWaun, who at the age of twenty-five, became the youngest judge in the state of Georgia.
On Monday, May 27, 2019, our beloved passed away. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Dorothy B. Thornton and Albert Burton.
She leaves to cherish her memories of ninety-five years: her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, Jonesboro, GA; her granddaughter, Attorney Mauri deWaun Gray of Phoenix, AZ; siblings: Henry Ray, Jr. and Clara Ray Moore, Jonesboro, GA; Henry Ray, LaGrange, GA; first cousins: Alonza Anderson, Chattanooga, TN, Doris Hodo, Chicago, IL; Freddie Smith, Chicago, IL; Wilson Burton, Buffalo, NY; Barbara Bowman, Chattanooga, TN; and Minnie Wilkerson, Brooklyn, NY; a devoted and supportive friend, Juanita Brooks, LaGrange, GA; nephews and nieces: Melvin Thornton, Bernice T. (William) Rector, William C. (Cynthia) Thornton, Jarrell L. (Karen) Thornton, Janice T. (James) Hill, and Taylor A. (Lanetta) Thornton; great nephews and nieces: Nichelle Williams, Shelencia Thornton, Vaughn Thornton, Aisha Rector, Angela Crystal Thornton, LaTisha Rector, DeAndre Thornton, Maurice A. Thornton, Sheena Arnett, LeTaylon Thornton, Jatorience Thornton, James-Addis Brittian Hill, Juwon Hill, Annsleigh Thornton, Jamani Hill, Christopher Thornton, Chancellor Thornton, Athena Thornton; as a host of relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church. Pastor William C. Thornton will officiate. Interment will follow at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
August 22, 1923 - May 27, 2019
Ellen Virginia Burton, affectionately known as “Bay” by family and friends, and “V.B.” by her co-workers, was born August 22, 1923 in Harris County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late, Addis and Ocie Lee Brittian.
Virginia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Roe’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she played both piano and organ. She remained a faithful member who served as a Delegate to the United Methodist Conference, as a member of the United Methodist Women, and the Church Choir.
She attended East Depot High School, and later became employed by the then, City-County Hospital. In 1946, after working one week as a maid to fill in for a vacationing worker in the Dietary Department; she began working in the Laboratory as an assistant to the sole technician employed at that time. She steadily advanced in skill and capability to a position of responsibility, and through self-motivation and perseverance, became the first African-American Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist.
During her tenure at the hospital, she became the first African-American supervisor and earned the distinction of being the first African-American named ‘Employee of the Year’. A 1967 newspaper article stated, “it would be impossible to state how many lives V. B. has saved with her countless matches of blood, bleeding of donors, hematology, and other lab work. She is equally skilled at bacteriology, chemistry, serology, and clinical microscopy.” The chief technician stated in a 1971 article that she could perform the required jobs in every department in the laboratory and asserted, “she can do everything.” V. B. retired from the Hospital after forty-one years of dedicated service.
Being very talented and a perfectionist in all of her crafts, she was said to have a “green thumb” and would require water at a specific temperature to water her many plants. She also maintained a spotless home and could expertly remove stains from any fabric, carpet, or material. Although cleaning was her specialty, she also honed her cooking skills, becoming famous for her Banana Split Cake.
After retirement, she joined the Golden Age Club and the Rochelle Federated Club along with her mother, who was a charter member of both. She became an active volunteer in several community organizations and focused much of her time on providing assistance and transportation to Senior Citizens. She also found time to become an expert in making ceramics.
Known for always being neat and meticulous about her appearance, Bay never wore a pair of pants and never went out without wearing stockings and a slip in her ninety-five years of life. One staff member at her assisted living facility shared a recent incident in which the facility was short-staffed and staff tried to save time by dressing everyone for bed before dinner. Ms. Burton balked to the point of tears because she did not want to enter the dining room in pajamas.
Her greatest source of pride were the accomplishments of her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, who became the first African-American Clayton County Commissioner; followed by those of her granddaughter, Mauri deWaun, who at the age of twenty-five, became the youngest judge in the state of Georgia.
On Monday, May 27, 2019, our beloved passed away. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Dorothy B. Thornton and Albert Burton.
She leaves to cherish her memories of ninety-five years: her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, Jonesboro, GA; her granddaughter, Attorney Mauri deWaun Gray of Phoenix, AZ; siblings: Henry Ray, Jr. and Clara Ray Moore, Jonesboro, GA; Henry Ray, LaGrange, GA; first cousins: Alonza Anderson, Chattanooga, TN, Doris Hodo, Chicago, IL; Freddie Smith, Chicago, IL; Wilson Burton, Buffalo, NY; Barbara Bowman, Chattanooga, TN; and Minnie Wilkerson, Brooklyn, NY; a devoted and supportive friend, Juanita Brooks, LaGrange, GA; nephews and nieces: Melvin Thornton, Bernice T. (William) Rector, William C. (Cynthia) Thornton, Jarrell L. (Karen) Thornton, Janice T. (James) Hill, and Taylor A. (Lanetta) Thornton; great nephews and nieces: Nichelle Williams, Shelencia Thornton, Vaughn Thornton, Aisha Rector, Angela Crystal Thornton, LaTisha Rector, DeAndre Thornton, Maurice A. Thornton, Sheena Arnett, LeTaylon Thornton, Jatorience Thornton, James-Addis Brittian Hill, Juwon Hill, Annsleigh Thornton, Jamani Hill, Christopher Thornton, Chancellor Thornton, Athena Thornton; as a host of relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church. Pastor William C. Thornton will officiate. Interment will follow at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Ellen Virginia Burton
August 22, 1923 - May 27, 2019
Ellen Virginia Burton, affectionately known as “Bay” by family and friends, and “V.B.” by her co-workers, was born August 22, 1923 in Harris County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late, Addis and Ocie Lee Brittian.
Virginia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Roe’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she played both piano and organ. She remained a faithful member who served as a Delegate to the United Methodist Conference, as a member of the United Methodist Women, and the Church Choir.
She attended East Depot High School, and later became employed by the then, City-County Hospital. In 1946, after working one week as a maid to fill in for a vacationing worker in the Dietary Department; she began working in the Laboratory as an assistant to the sole technician employed at that time. She steadily advanced in skill and capability to a position of responsibility, and through self-motivation and perseverance, became the first African-American Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist.
During her tenure at the hospital, she became the first African-American supervisor and earned the distinction of being the first African-American named ‘Employee of the Year’. A 1967 newspaper article stated, “it would be impossible to state how many lives V. B. has saved with her countless matches of blood, bleeding of donors, hematology, and other lab work. She is equally skilled at bacteriology, chemistry, serology, and clinical microscopy.” The chief technician stated in a 1971 article that she could perform the required jobs in every department in the laboratory and asserted, “she can do everything.” V. B. retired from the Hospital after forty-one years of dedicated service.
Being very talented and a perfectionist in all of her crafts, she was said to have a “green thumb” and would require water at a specific temperature to water her many plants. She also maintained a spotless home and could expertly remove stains from any fabric, carpet, or material. Although cleaning was her specialty, she also honed her cooking skills, becoming famous for her Banana Split Cake.
After retirement, she joined the Golden Age Club and the Rochelle Federated Club along with her mother, who was a charter member of both. She became an active volunteer in several community organizations and focused much of her time on providing assistance and transportation to Senior Citizens. She also found time to become an expert in making ceramics.
Known for always being neat and meticulous about her appearance, Bay never wore a pair of pants and never went out without wearing stockings and a slip in her ninety-five years of life. One staff member at her assisted living facility shared a recent incident in which the facility was short-staffed and staff tried to save time by dressing everyone for bed before dinner. Ms. Burton balked to the point of tears because she did not want to enter the dining room in pajamas.
Her greatest source of pride were the accomplishments of her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, who became the first African-American Clayton County Commissioner; followed by those of her granddaughter, Mauri deWaun, who at the age of twenty-five, became the youngest judge in the state of Georgia.
On Monday, May 27, 2019, our beloved passed away. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Dorothy B. Thornton and Albert Burton.
She leaves to cherish her memories of ninety-five years: her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, Jonesboro, GA; her granddaughter, Attorney Mauri deWaun Gray of Phoenix, AZ; siblings: Henry Ray, Jr. and Clara Ray Moore, Jonesboro, GA; Henry Ray, LaGrange, GA; first cousins: Alonza Anderson, Chattanooga, TN, Doris Hodo, Chicago, IL; Freddie Smith, Chicago, IL; Wilson Burton, Buffalo, NY; Barbara Bowman, Chattanooga, TN; and Minnie Wilkerson, Brooklyn, NY; a devoted and supportive friend, Juanita Brooks, LaGrange, GA; nephews and nieces: Melvin Thornton, Bernice T. (William) Rector, William C. (Cynthia) Thornton, Jarrell L. (Karen) Thornton, Janice T. (James) Hill, and Taylor A. (Lanetta) Thornton; great nephews and nieces: Nichelle Williams, Shelencia Thornton, Vaughn Thornton, Aisha Rector, Angela Crystal Thornton, LaTisha Rector, DeAndre Thornton, Maurice A. Thornton, Sheena Arnett, LeTaylon Thornton, Jatorience Thornton, James-Addis Brittian Hill, Juwon Hill, Annsleigh Thornton, Jamani Hill, Christopher Thornton, Chancellor Thornton, Athena Thornton; as a host of relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church. Pastor William C. Thornton will officiate. Interment will follow at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
August 22, 1923 - May 27, 2019
Ellen Virginia Burton, affectionately known as “Bay” by family and friends, and “V.B.” by her co-workers, was born August 22, 1923 in Harris County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late, Addis and Ocie Lee Brittian.
Virginia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Roe’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she played both piano and organ. She remained a faithful member who served as a Delegate to the United Methodist Conference, as a member of the United Methodist Women, and the Church Choir.
She attended East Depot High School, and later became employed by the then, City-County Hospital. In 1946, after working one week as a maid to fill in for a vacationing worker in the Dietary Department; she began working in the Laboratory as an assistant to the sole technician employed at that time. She steadily advanced in skill and capability to a position of responsibility, and through self-motivation and perseverance, became the first African-American Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist.
During her tenure at the hospital, she became the first African-American supervisor and earned the distinction of being the first African-American named ‘Employee of the Year’. A 1967 newspaper article stated, “it would be impossible to state how many lives V. B. has saved with her countless matches of blood, bleeding of donors, hematology, and other lab work. She is equally skilled at bacteriology, chemistry, serology, and clinical microscopy.” The chief technician stated in a 1971 article that she could perform the required jobs in every department in the laboratory and asserted, “she can do everything.” V. B. retired from the Hospital after forty-one years of dedicated service.
Being very talented and a perfectionist in all of her crafts, she was said to have a “green thumb” and would require water at a specific temperature to water her many plants. She also maintained a spotless home and could expertly remove stains from any fabric, carpet, or material. Although cleaning was her specialty, she also honed her cooking skills, becoming famous for her Banana Split Cake.
After retirement, she joined the Golden Age Club and the Rochelle Federated Club along with her mother, who was a charter member of both. She became an active volunteer in several community organizations and focused much of her time on providing assistance and transportation to Senior Citizens. She also found time to become an expert in making ceramics.
Known for always being neat and meticulous about her appearance, Bay never wore a pair of pants and never went out without wearing stockings and a slip in her ninety-five years of life. One staff member at her assisted living facility shared a recent incident in which the facility was short-staffed and staff tried to save time by dressing everyone for bed before dinner. Ms. Burton balked to the point of tears because she did not want to enter the dining room in pajamas.
Her greatest source of pride were the accomplishments of her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, who became the first African-American Clayton County Commissioner; followed by those of her granddaughter, Mauri deWaun, who at the age of twenty-five, became the youngest judge in the state of Georgia.
On Monday, May 27, 2019, our beloved passed away. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Dorothy B. Thornton and Albert Burton.
She leaves to cherish her memories of ninety-five years: her daughter, Mary Virginia Burton Gray, Jonesboro, GA; her granddaughter, Attorney Mauri deWaun Gray of Phoenix, AZ; siblings: Henry Ray, Jr. and Clara Ray Moore, Jonesboro, GA; Henry Ray, LaGrange, GA; first cousins: Alonza Anderson, Chattanooga, TN, Doris Hodo, Chicago, IL; Freddie Smith, Chicago, IL; Wilson Burton, Buffalo, NY; Barbara Bowman, Chattanooga, TN; and Minnie Wilkerson, Brooklyn, NY; a devoted and supportive friend, Juanita Brooks, LaGrange, GA; nephews and nieces: Melvin Thornton, Bernice T. (William) Rector, William C. (Cynthia) Thornton, Jarrell L. (Karen) Thornton, Janice T. (James) Hill, and Taylor A. (Lanetta) Thornton; great nephews and nieces: Nichelle Williams, Shelencia Thornton, Vaughn Thornton, Aisha Rector, Angela Crystal Thornton, LaTisha Rector, DeAndre Thornton, Maurice A. Thornton, Sheena Arnett, LeTaylon Thornton, Jatorience Thornton, James-Addis Brittian Hill, Juwon Hill, Annsleigh Thornton, Jamani Hill, Christopher Thornton, Chancellor Thornton, Athena Thornton; as a host of relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church. Pastor William C. Thornton will officiate. Interment will follow at Roe's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
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