Essye Mae Burton Land

Ms. Essye Mae Burton Land, 93, of Chase City, VA passed away peacefully in Berkshire County, Massachusetts on Monday November 23, 2015. Ms. Land was born on May 30, 1922 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia as the 6th of eleven children of Rev. Will A. and Mrs. Essie M. Burton. Ms. Land graduated from Thyne Institute High School and joined   Concord Baptist Church in Chase City, VA. She later moved to New Jersey and New York City as a young adult.  She was passionate about education and community service, working tirelessly as a counselor at the Community League of West 159th Street and The Washington Heights-West Harlem-Inwood Mental Health Council.  During these years, she was an active member of the NAACP, St. John’s Baptist Church, The New York City Mission Society’s Minisink Mother’s Club, Community Committee of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and Community Council of the 30th Precinct of New York City Police Department, the Girl Scouts of America and received recognition for her service. Mrs. Land retired from the City of New York and returned to Virginia in 1987 to serve at Concord Baptist Church as editor of the ‘In Touch’ Newsletter, as a member of the Missionary Society and the Senior Choir. Her parents and siblings, Grace Pollard, Wilbur, Marshall, Calvin, Ellen, Charles, Jesse, Hubert, Harry, and Rev. Daniel W. Burton; grandson, Zebulon Allende Fraise; nephews, Frederick, Ted, Daniel Jr., Calvin Jr. and ex husband, Andrew Land predeceased her. Cherishing her memory are her daughters, Sandra Burton Kelley (Don Quinn) and Patricia Burton; grandchildren, Tshombe Harris (Dedre), Yadiel ‘Jael’ Fraise, Ahmeshadye ’Benjamin’ Fraise (Whitney), Aytahnyah Fraise Perez (Michelle), Marc, David (Francine) and Nambi Kelley; ten great-grandchildren, Dawson, Lawson, Madison, Allyson, Haley, Lael, Nina, Israel, Xavier and Kaia; nieces, Louise, Isabel, Angela, Gloria, Joyce, Irma, Deloris, Karen, Armelita, Gracie Mae, Joan; nephews, Charles, David A., Harry Jr., John Preston, Ellis, Clinton, Leon, Gerald, Ronnie, David and their spouses; sisters-in-law, Lucy Agar Burton, Linelle B. Burton, Virginia D. Burton and Betty J. Burton and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends. Funeral services for Ms. Essye Mae Burton Land will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 30, 2015 at Concord Baptist Church, Chase City, VA with Pastor Shirley Williams delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Public viewing for family and friends will be on Sunday, November 29th  from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 P.M. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.    Services 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 30, 2015 Concord Baptist Church Chase City, Virginia Interment Church Cemetery Public Viewing Sunday 12:00 Noon untill 6:00 P.M.