Eraina Rebecca Burgess

ERAINA R. BURGESS (nee Robinson) was born October 31, 1949 to the late Prentis and Nellie Robinson in Baltimore, Maryland. She was affectionately referred to as “Rainie” all of her life. She was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, the Community College of Baltimore, Towson University and Howard University and Howard University. Her lifelong career was in mental health counseling and services, working to provide patients with the skills necessary to reenter the community; and was a part of the multidisciplinary teams coordinating these efforts. She served at Crownsville Hospital Center, Springfield State Hospital, east Baltimore Medical Center and finally at Johns Hopkins University in vocational rehab a Director of “Changing Directions” serving the East Baltimore area. Sister Burgess was a devoted and faithful member of the Southern Baptist Church since childhood, attending with her grandparents, Ora and Frank Manning, and her parents, Deacon and Deaconess Prentis and Nellie Robinson. She loved her church family and did whatever she could to help; most recently, supporting the church bus phone tree, coordinating transportation to church to those in need. She always had an open ear and heart and was loved by all. She was a widow, having been married to the late Tony Burgess. Sister Burgess departed this life on Friday, May 15, 2015, after lengthy illness and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory: two siblings, devoted sister, Marcia Ekpaha-Mensah and brother, Anthony Robinson; her loving aunt, Be nine Fitzgerald; three nieces, LaNel Thomas, Sabrina Robinson-Simms and Brittany Robinson; three nephews, Brian Walker, Prentis Robinson III and Anthony Robinson, Jr. (Lil' Tony); three great-nephews, Khalil, Elijah and Isaiah; close cousins, Claudia Wyche, Carol Powell, LaVerne Stills, Brenda Fitzgerald, Shirley Bryant, Albert Fitzgerald, Darren Williams, Quentin Williams, Jeffrey Williams and Joyce Jimenez; several godchildren, who she loved greatly, Tia, Akita, Kevin and Jessica; several long-time dear-friends, Gloria Gilliam Irma and Charles Robinson, Karen Johnson, Mary Taylor, Addie Boone and Jeryl Armstrong. Sister Burgess is also survived by enumerable cousin, other relatives and a host of friend.

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Eraina Rebecca Burgess

October 31, 1949 - May 15, 2015