Mary Ruth Burns

MARY RUTH JOHNSON-BURNS, the daughter of the late Clarence, Sr. and Mattie Westrey Johnson, was born on December 24, 1938. She departed this life on November 14, 2023 after a lengthy illness. Mary, a native of Baltimore, attended Dunbar Senior High School. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Raymond, Madeline and Clarence, Jr. Mary loved the Lord with all her heart and often offered words of comfort to others during discouraging times. The mother of nine children, she spent many years as a housewife. Always an early riser, Mary was usually up at 5:00 am washing clothes as the scent of bleach could be smelled throughout the house. In later years, Mary was employed at the Keswick Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Facility. She often started her mornings listening to gospel music as she drank her coffee and prepared for the day. Born on Christmas Eve, Mary loved Christmas and, along with her husband, provided magical Christmases for their children. Mary was an avid reader. She loved romance and mystery novels. She loved completing crossword puzzles. She enjoyed watching tennis matches, game shows and the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries broadcast show. One of her favorite things to do was to go grocery shopping as well as create grocery lists for others to go shopping for her. Mary had an extraordinary memory and kept abreast of current events and politics. She was a fashionable dresser and loved wearing perfume. Her two favorite dishes were Maryland steamed crabs and Chinese cuisine. She met and later married Wilbert T. Burns, Sr. (deceased) in 1958. From that union, nine children were born. She was affectionately called “Mama” by all of her children who wanted her to stay even though she always reminded them that “We didn’t come here to stay.” She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker who will be sorely missed. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory: her children, Paula, Cedric, Wilbert, Jr., Dinah, John (deceased), Rodney, Miriam (Garry), Glenn and Delores (Terry); twenty grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; a very special neighbor and friend, Ms. Bonnie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Mary Ruth Burns

December 24, 1938 - November 14, 2023