Jeanne LaVerne (Floyd) Burnside

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, the angel's trumpet sounded calling Sister Jeanne LaVerne Floyd Burnside to be with the Lord.  She departed this life at Richardson Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas, after an extended illness.

Sister Burnside was born on July 22, 1944 to the late Othelma Fant Floyd and John Henry Floyd in the Mount Pleasant African Methodist Episcopal Church Community of Laurens County.  She was educated in the public schools of Laurens County, South Carolina, graduating from Bell Street High School in 1961.  She earned a B.A. Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina in 1965 and began teaching at Central Elementary School in Greenwood, South Carolina.  She later taught at Joanna-Woodson Elementary, Bell Street High, and Martha Dendy Schools.  She taught English at Ford Elementary for twenty-eight years.  She earned a Master's Degree in Education from Clemson University and completed other studies at Lander College, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina.  She was a devoted educator for more than forty years.  After retiring from District 55, she returned to teach in school District 56.  She was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association.

Jeanne joined Mount Pleasant African Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age and remained a devoted member until her death.  She was a very dedicated servant who worked diligently to do God's will in service to the church where she served in many capacities-steward Trustee, Church Secretary, Church School Teacher, Christian Education Director, Local Missionary President, Local Lay President, and Class Leader.  She worked tirelessly for the growth and support of Mount Pleasant.

Beyond the wall of Mount Pleasant, she served on the District Level Area Conference and Episcopal levels  She has served as the Piedmont Conference Lay President.  She was a Life member of the Piedmont Conference Women's missionary Society.  She also served as the Area Chairperson for the Greenwood Area WMS.  She has been the recipient of the 'Gem of Love" Award.  She attended six plus WMS Quadrennials, including most recently in July 2019 in Columbus, Ohio where she became ill.  She has also attended the church's General Conference as an alternate delegate.

Jeanne was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than forty-nine years.  She was a member of New Bethel Chapter No. 195 where she served as Associate Matron.

At Allen University, she was a proud member of the choir as well as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  After graduating, she remained loyal to Allen University (GAAAU).  One of her greatest passions in life was being a member of Zeta Phi Sorority, Inc.  She served faithfully in the Laurens County Chapter where she held many offices, including president.  She shared her love for young people by serving as a mentor for Zeta Archonettes.

She was one of the founders and a charter member of the Laurens County section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Jeanne leaves to treasure her fond memories one son, Benjamin Lewis (Sheridee) Burnside of Allen, TX; her twin sister, Joyce Lorraine Floyd of Clinton, SC; two grandchildren, Kendall Mohony and Xavier Rahman Burnside of Allen, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Her favorite scripture was, "The Lord God is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds' feet and He will make me walk upon mine high places, 

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