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Lewelyn (Lou) Burns entered her heavenly home on October 31, 2026, at Discovery Village at Sarasota Bay in Bradenton, Florida, at the age of 96. She was born in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1930, to Millard and Carmella (Strauble) Williamson. She was the last known living member of the Sheffield High School Class of 1948. Her father died before she reached the age of one, and she and her brother were raised by their mother during the Depression. The economic hardships they faced contributed to her strong work ethic and the attention she gave to others in need throughout her life.
After high school, she trained as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She then returned to Sheffield and married her high school sweetheart, Frederick Burns. They celebrated 75 years of marriage on September 22, 2025.
Her employment history was extensive and included Community Hospital in Kane, PA (nursing), Warren General Hospital (nurse staffing), ARC Enterprises, and Gahring Optical, all in Warren, PA. Upon retirement, she and Fred moved to Florida to be nearer to their children.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, where she served as Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, and youth group leader for many years. She was also a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Bradenton, where she taught Sunday School. While in Bradenton, she participated in short-term missions in Haiti and also served for several years at Agape Flights, which supports missionaries throughout the Caribbean. Throughout her long life, her faith, compassion, and stamina allowed her to meet the needs of so many through meals, lodging, financial support, visitation, and, above all, prayer.
Her years in Florida included traveling with Fred and documenting their summer trips across the country. She also devoted a great deal of time to her entire family, neighbors, friends, and those living in care facilities.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Fred; her brother, Rev. Charles Williamson; her brother-in-law, Wendell, and his wife, Betty; her sister-in-law, Mary Burns; and her son-in-law, Stanley Swartz.
Those left to cherish her memory are her brother-in-law, Larry Burns; sister-in-law, Edna Williamson; and her children, Susan Swartz, Craig (Mary) Burns, Karen (Jim) Olsen of Bradenton, FL, and Wendy (Dan) Mead of State College, PA. She was also a special and devoted "Nana" to her much-loved eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many dear nieces and nephews.
The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Memory Care staff at Discovery Village at Sarasota Bay, who showed such kindness and compassion in caring for her over the last two and a half years.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Burial will be alongside Fred in Barnes Cemetery in Barnes, PA.
The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you have done it for Me." -- Matthew 25:40
Memorials or donations may be sent to: Calvary Baptist Church Youth Group Fund 445 Conewango Ave. Warren, PA 16365 AGAPE Flights 100 Airport Ave. E Venice, FL 3428512-6371.