Athalee Mildred Burch

Mother Athalee Mildred Burch was 91, and departed this life Friday February 19, 2021 in Marion County. She was the sister of Anna Marion Rias. Due to the pandemic the family will be not be receiving visitors at the home, but they ask for your continued prayers, calls and concerns.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Henry L. Jackson Memorial Park on Saturday February 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at the St. James AME Church Cemetery. Services will be live-steamed on the Jackson & McGill Facebook Page. 

~ Life Reflections Of Ms. Atha Lee Mildred Burch ~

 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8

Altha Lee Mildred Burch was born Wednesday, January 1, 1930 to the late Charlie and Etta Elizabeth Davis Burch. With His abundant grace and mercy, Our Heavenly Father whispered to Atha Lee Mildred Burch, “come and rest in me,“Friday, February 19, 2021 in Marion County. Marion South Carolina

Atha Lee attended Marion County Public Schools. Her spiritual development began at an early age at the Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Saint James Community, Marion South Carolina. She was united in holy matrimony to David (DC) Crawford. To this union was born a son and daughter, both of whom died shortly after birth. 

Upon relocating to Miami Florida. Atha Lee was employed with the University of Miami Florida for many years until her retirement. Atha Lee returned home to Marion South Carolina, to be closer to her family and reunited with her home church.

Altha Lee has now set up residence with her father, Charlie Burch, her beloved mother Etta Elizabeth Burch , her son and daughter, four brothers, William Ellison Burch, Earl Tecumseh Burch, Odell Whaley Roosevelt Burch , Edward Monroe Burch, three sisters, Helen Gerona Burch Leonard, Hazel Alice Burch Crawford, and Thomasina Carrie Mardell Burch Leonard.

Today, as we celebrate the life of Atha Lee Mildred Burch, we rejoice in the Lord for He is good and His mercies endureth forever. God has taken our dear loved one to His just reward. She lived her life “to be ready when He comes.” As we celebrate, we will continue to live out his legacy of faith, love and service to mankind. We rejoice in the fact that His word declares: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  We rejoice in the fact that God allowed us to have a loving mother, sister, aunt, and cousin. We rejoice in the fact that our great God allowed Atha Lee Mildred Burch to be with us for ninety-one (91) years. Finally, we rejoice in the fact that even though she is absent from the body, she is present with the Lord and watching over us.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

She leaves to cherish many fond and precious memories, her loving, caring sister who stood by her side Anna Marian Etta Lou Diarus Burch Rias of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a host of loving caring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved very much.

As you celebrate My life I know that you will miss me dearly. Miss me, but let me go. When I came to the end of this road and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free! Miss me a little - but not for long and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me, but let me go. For this journey that I must take and I must go alone; It's all a part of the Master's plan a step on the road to my heavenly home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, Go to the friends we know, and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss me, but let me go.  For I know that “Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY cometh in the morning. So Miss Me But Let Me Go!  Love Always Atha Lee.

The family of Mother Athalee Mildred Burch in consideration of the current health crisis facing our world, nation, state and local community, has decided to hold a private 50 people or less, family only, funeral service for their loved one with private interment immediately following. While the Burch family would love to be surrounded by your presence, they acknowledge the health risks to family, church members, friends, and particularly to those who are most vulnerable to this disease, the elderly and those with chronic  health conditions. What the family needs most at this time are your prayers and understanding. Thank you for your concern and cooperation.

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