Mrs. Emma Louise Burse

Emma Louise Burse, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend passed away January 3, 2020. She was born in Summerville, GA on February 20, 1939 to the late James Vaughn Thompson and Annie Lou Thompson.  Emma had a heart of gold and hardly met any strangers.  Her soft-spoken wisdom, grace, love for Christ, and endless love for her family and friends was unmatched.  She was baptized at Pleasant Hill AME in Summerville, GA and devoted her life to Christ at an early age.  She later became a member of Prospect Baptist Church in Lafayette, GA. She loved reading her bible and when her health began to fail and she was no longer able to attend church, she watched the gospel preached on TV.

Emma was a hard worker and after more than 40 years, she retired which allowed her to spend more time enjoying her family. She grew beautiful flowers and enjoyed working in her flower garden. Knock out roses and dusty millers were her favorites. She also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles to help keep her mind sharp.  She loved taking walks around Dowdy Park with her friends and would walk several miles every week.  She was also a member of Silver Sneakers for years. 

Emma was known around the community for her love of “Trade Day.” She enjoyed selling, buying, and trading on Tuesday and Saturday mornings and just as equally she enjoyed the fellowship amongst friends and customers.  She loved a good bargain!  No one was surprised to hear of the great deals she found in various locations from Summerville to the metro Atlanta area.

She was an all-around gem.  She loved watching wrestling, Family Feud, and her favorite athlete and team, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Above all, Emma enjoyed spending quality time with her family. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she was always excited to save for special gifts for her family.

Loving and lasting memories will live on in the hearts of her devoted husband, Joe Henry Burse; two loving daughters Rebecca Burse and Gloria Brooks (George); two siblings, James Robert Thompson (Valerie) and Ivy Nell Haynes; three loyal grandchildren Constance Natobee Daniel, Greonna Brooks, and Gratia Brooks; two beautiful great-grandchildren, Myles Daniel and Neriah Daniel; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends. Emma was preceded in death by her son James Burse, sister Hattie Mostiller, and brother, Joe Thompson.

Emma knew that she had the Lord on her side.  She fought a good fight, she finished her course, and kept the faith.

Funeral services for Mrs. Burse will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 9, 2020, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor J. Scott Copeland officiating.  Interment will follow in Summerville Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be nephews.

Mrs. Burse will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Thursday.

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