Bess Frances Burns

Bess Frances Burns, 87, went peacefully to live with her Savior on February 3, 2021. Born in Richburg, SC on February 7, 1933 to William Andrew Burns and Annie Lou Roberts Burns, Bess was the eldest of four children.

She was a 1955 graduate of the University of South Carolina, her mother's alma mater, earning both her B.A. and Master's degrees in Education. While there she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society for her exceptional academics. Upon graduation, she started her 36-year teaching career in the picturesque coastal town of Beaufort, SC. From there she began new adventures teaching abroad at Air Force bases in Puerto Rico, France, and Germany. She returned stateside in 1962 and began her decades-long tenure as a reading specialist with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Bess was named "Teacher of the Year" 1985-1986 by Myer's Park Traditional School.

Bess was an active member of the Charlotte Woman's Club and was voted their "Outstanding Club Member" in 1999. From 2005-2007, she was Co-President of the A.A.U.W. (American Association of University Women). Her active lifestyle extended to volunteering for "Meals on Wheels" and taking seniors to their doctor's appointments. She was a woman of faith and an involved member of the Tabernacle Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and then the Covenant Presbyterian in her later years. Bess enjoyed travel, music, history, museums, and bridge!

She is survived by her two younger sisters, Sarah Burns Clary (Tom) and Jean Burns Reid, as well as four nieces, Lesley Clary Hamer (Jim), Lou Ann Clary Fravel (Wes), Lisa Clary McCutchen (Bill), Jenny Reid Horton (Dave) and her only nephew, Dr. James R. Reid, IV (Brooke). She has many great nieces and nephews, as well as three great-great nieces and one great-great nephew. All loved their Aunt Bess. "We love our Aunt Bessie we do, we do!"

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Union Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Richburg, SC. Interment will follow at the historic Union Cemetery in the Burns family plot. Special thanks to the Williamsburg Landing Memory Support staff for their years of kindness, patience, and love. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bess Burns to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 at (www.alz.org).