Velma Burris Rector daughter of the late Fred and Hester Burris was born on

January 17, 1935 in New Castle, PA. Velma (aka. Sister to her grandchildren)

was the eighth child of nine departed this life on Sunday, March 10,2019 after

a lengthy illness.

Velma was educated in the New Castle, PA, School System where she

graduated from New Castle High School. She received her Bachelor of

Science Degree from Youngstown State College and her Master's of Science

Degree from Loyola University here in Baltimore.

Velma taught in the Baltimore Public School System as a Physical Education

teacher at Garrison Junior High School. After leaving the school system she

worked at the Urban League for a number of years before becoming the

Director of Professional Education and Training at The American Lung

Association and retired as the Assistant Director of The Center for Nursing for

the Maryland Hospital Association.

Velma moved from New Castle to Philadelphia, P A where she met and

married the love of her life Louis B. Rector in March of 1960. From this union

they were blessed with two children, Lloyd Anthony and Lowell McIntyre.

Velma accepted Christ at an early age and served as the Pianist for the senior

choir at St. Paul Baptist Church in New Castle, PA. Upon moving to Balti-

more, she joined New Metropolitan Baptist Church and later became a proud

member of New Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr.

Harold A. Carter, Sr. Velma had a servants heart, she mentored several boys,

girls, men and women throughout the years and received many awards for her

volunteerism from the City of Baltimore and also from the Governor of

Maryland.

On March 10, 2019, Velma received her wings. Velma was preceded in death

by her husband Louis, her parents, 2 sisters, Cynthia Dennis, Leila St. Rose

and 4 brothers, Mansfield Burris, Otis Burris, Harvey Burris, and Timothy

Burris.

Velma leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Lloyd "Tony" and Lowell; one

daughter-in-law, Adrianne; two grandchildren, Adonica Michele Rector and

Taylor Marie Swan; one brother Hiawatha Burris, one sister Marva Evans;

two sisters-in-law, Margaret Burris and Rochelle Burris; Godchildren, Cluey

Hargrove, Adonica Blackston and Briana Tyson; along with a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins and friends.

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