Burnsie Thomas, 96, retired special ed teacher – Coastal Observer
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Burnsie Thomas, 96, retired special ed teacher

February 5, 2022

Lora Evie Burns Thomas of Murrells Inlet, a former special education teacher, died Feb. 5.  She was 96.

Known as “Burnsie,” she was born July 9, 1925, in Sanford, N.C., the daughter of Clara and William Clyde Burns. Her parents moved to Orangeburg, where she attended Ellis Avenue Grammar School and graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1942. She graduated from Coker College, where she majored in education.

She first taught in Georgetown City Schools. She married and had four sons. After the oldest son was in college, Mrs. Thomas went back to school at Western Carolina University to study special education and earned a master’s degree in elementary education. She was devoted to advancing opportunities for the full development of the mentally challenged. She worked diligently to help those who were unable to help themselves, serving on committees at local and state levels. 

Mrs. Thomas later returned to teaching in the public schools, and at age 64, she renewed her teaching certificate with study at the University of Oxford in England. She was also a Red Cross water safety instructor. 

She was active in civic and community affairs including Senior Scholars; president of Friends of the Georgetown County Library; president of Kensington PTA; president of the Association for Retarded Children; charter member of Francis Asbury Sunday School Class, where she organized the golden anniversary of the class; leader for United Methodist Women; Georgetown Garden Club; and secretary of the Ribbon Dance Club.  She attended St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Orangeburg and Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Georgetown.

After her retirement, Mrs. Thomas satisfied her travel lust with trips to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Caribbean, British Isles and around the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In 1988, she moved to the Methodist Oaks, a retirement community in Orangeburg. 

She is survived by four sons, William Henry Thomas III (Ginger) of Simpsonville, Robert Burns Thomas (Nancy) of Fountain Inn, Steven Clyde Thomas of Ridgeland and David Beaty Thomas (Barbara) of Murrells Inlet; two grandchildren, Beaty Thomas (Angela) of Spartanburg and Lora Thomas of Mount Pleasant; four great-grandchildren, Valley, Baxter, Colin and Susana Thomas; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Carolyn Thomas Lively of Waynesboro, Ga., was a special friend.

Her brother, Dr. William Clyde Burns, died before her.

A home-going service will be held at Friday at 11 a.m. at Pawleys Island Chapel. Memorials may be made to Epworth Children’s Home of Columbia or a charity of your choice.

There is a guest book at mayerfuneralhome.com.

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Meetings

Georgetown County Board of Education: First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Beck Education Center. For details, go to gcsd.k12.sc.us. Georgetown County Council: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 129 Screven St., Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org. Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Town Hall, 323 Myrtle Ave. For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com.   , .

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