Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at First Presbyterian Church with a visitation at the church following the funeral in Johnson Hall. A private interment at Parkhill Cemetery will be held prior to the funeral.
Mrs. Burnham was born July 12, 1930, in Columbus, GA, the daughter of the late Lois Elizabeth McCroan Thomas and John Robert Thomas, Jr. Born and raised in Columbus, she attended Wynnton School and graduated from Columbus High School. In 1949, she married the love of her life, Otis and were happily married for 66 years until his death in 2015. Early in her marriage she worked for Zeke Carter Realty. Afterwards she became a full-time homemaker, mother and community volunteer.
Eleanor was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church where she was very active. She was the first woman elected to serve on the Board of Deacons and was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. She was later elected to serve as an Elder and then went on to be Clerk of the Session. She served as Vice Chair of the Arrangements Committee when the General Assembly of PC(USA) met in Columbus in 1983 where she planned and executed all of the arrangements for this national meeting.
In addition to her church activities, she was a member of La Sertoma Club, the PHALO Study Club, and on the Board of the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, now known as Twin Cedars. Eleanor served as a Cub Scout leader and was named to the Best Dressed List for Columbus for her impeccable style.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Burnham Stephens; grandchildren Laura Stephens Martin (Craig) of Memphis, Tennessee; Allison Stephens Massanelli (Tony) of Atlanta, Georgia; Larry K. Stephens, Jr. (Ashley) of Atlanta, and three great-grandchildren, Ansley Massanelli, Lila Massanelli, and Jack Stephens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901 or Twin Cedars, 751 Double Churches Road, Columbus, Georgia 31904 or the charity of your choice.
To sign the online guest registry, please visit www.shcolumbus.com.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Burnham family.
