Miss Celyta began her career at age 16 as a teacher for one of Brazil's first Seventh Day Adventist elementary schools. In a proverbial one room schoolhouse, she taught all disciplines for grades 1-8. She had 17 students. The stories Miss Celyta would tell about that time were funny- beach picnics with students disrupted by the mischievous antics of the Pastor's son; a class streetcar journey during which a very young pupil told a startled fellow passenger that Miss Celyta was their mother... In her 20's, she emigrated to the U.S. and held a key position at the Brazilian Army Commission in WDC until retirement.
Two events stand out from her time in Washington. She graduated from the George Washington University with a degree in psychology making her the first in her family to receive a college education . And she met GA native, Roger T. Burson. They married in 1984 and moved to Cartersville a few years later.
That move to "the country" was not an easy transition for her. Miss Celyta would tell of carrying $50 in her pocket for a year- "just in case"- because that was the cost of a taxi from her new home to the airport for a plane back to "the city".
Before too long, she was charmed by her friendly neighbors and embraced by her new SDA church family. And she charmed and embraced them right back.
Soon Miss Celyta wouldn't hear of moving "back East", closer to family even after the tragic death of her beloved Roger.
A woman of deep faith, Miss Celyta was an active member of the SDA church and participated in bible study, music programs (she had a lovely alto voice), and gave piano lessons to young church members.
Always the gracious hostess, Miss Celyta lived to entertain in her home and was renowned for her delicious flan and tasty pecan, cottage cheese roast.
Miss Celyta was gifted in many ways. She enjoyed painting- landscapes from her native Brazil and flowers and fall foliage from her backyard.
She was a talented knitter producing exquisite tiny booties for newborns and in later years became a prolific knitter of scarves for service men and women overseas, friends, family, and acquaintances.
In 2013 Miss Celyta became a U.S. citizen and proudly voted for the first time in the 2016 elections.
She traveled widely and often in the U.S., to Brazil, and to Europe and took lots and lots and lots of pictures .
Those who knew her will agree that Miss Celyta was kind, generous, and always ready to lend a helping hand or sympathetic ear. Beloved aunt and cherished friend, Miss Celyta will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched She is survived by her nieces Angela Jackson of Boston, Celyta Jackson of NYC, Pat Jackson of San Francisco, 3 grand nieces, one grand nephew, and two cats.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 2:30pm at the Cartersville Seventh Day Adventist church.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to the Cartersville Georgia Seventh Day Adventist Church Dorothy Hughes Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave online condolences for the family.
Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120
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