Doretha Ernestine Burns

Doretha Ernestine Burns was born on December 13, 1940, in Ridgeway, VA. She entered eternal life with God in the early morning hours, while under care at Azalia Senior Living Home in Frederick County, MD on October 21, 2023. Doretha grew up with her late parents Ernest and Dorothy Smith in Ridgeway, VA. She was the sister of 3 brothers, Clifford (Deceased), Conrad and Clauszell (Deceased). She has 6 loving sisters in law, Ann Smith, Bernice Smith, Margaret B. Smith, Carolyn Burns, Sarah Burns & Mattie Burns.

She joined up with the Lord at an early age with Antioch Baptist Church in Ridgeway, VA. She was a dedicated Sunday School Secretary. Doretha enjoyed participating in the Youth Choir. She was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Monroe, NC from 1960–1962 where she was a Choir Member. She enjoyed cooking and piano which was taught from her mother. While attending George Washington Carver High School, she participated in the Drama Club.

Upon graduating she attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. She pursued an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education. Once completing her college education, she married the late John W. Burns. They moved to Washington, DC in 1962. She is the proud mother of a daughter Sheri L. Burns, son John W. Burns, Jr. and his wife Kristy. 5 Grand Children Norman A Barrett Jr., Natasha A. Barrett, Keona Johnson, John Burns III, and Jamaris Burns. Three great grandchildren Makayla Johnson, Dasia Watson and Shaniya Patterson (Deceased). Along with many other nieces, nephews, host of relatives and friends.

She became a member of Zion Baptist Church in Washington, DC in 1962 to the present where she was a Deaconess, Choir Member, Financial Records Keeper, and Payroll Day Care Recorder.

She worked as a telephone operator, sales and technology representative retiring in 1991 from AT&T/ Lucent Technologies.

Other hobbies included sewing, gardening and Golf. She owes everything to the highest “GOD”. – Doretha Ernestine Burns.