Mahalia E. Burrus

MAHALIA ELIZABETH LOFLAND, daughter of the late Purnell Lofland and Pauline Turner Lofland, was born on May 17, 1924 and departed this life on Wednesday August 21, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Her family moved from Milford, Delaware to Maryland when she was five years old. She attended school of Divinity. Even though Hallie grew up hearing about God, she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At the age of 29, she attended a tarry service at 27 South Carolina Street, under the leadership of Bishop Winfield Showell, and received the Holy Ghost. She worked for the Lord diligently since receiving Him and won many souls to Christ; including Fannie Green. She worked in many capacities with the church; Missionary, Evangelist, Sunday School, Bible Teacher in the Maryland penitentiary, Preacher, and was licensed to Bury, Marry, and Baptize. She worked in the same capacities in each church. In first Apostolic under Bishop Winfield Showell, Rehoboth under Bishop Randalph Carr, First United Church of Jesus Christ under Bishop Monroe R. Saunders Sr., Emmanuel Apostolic under Bishop William S. Barnes, and then returning to First United Church of Jesus Christ under Bishop Monroe R. Saunders Sr. “Hallie,” as she was most affectionately known, was loved by all who knew her. Her husband, Leon, preceded her in death. He died on Palm Sunday, March 23, 1997. Her son has also preceded her, Peter Burrus, on June 29, 1993. when she first met Leon in 1937, she did not want to be with him, in fact she only approached him because her sister liked him; but Leon told Hattie he didn't want her sister he wanted the “fat” one; from that she later earned the nickname; “fats”. On May 25, 1947, they were married and from that union had seven children; Leon Mahanan Burrus, Mahalia Pauline Burrus, Allen Purnell Burrus Melvin Lee Robinson, Emmanuel Frank “Peter” Burrus, Ruth Elizabeth Burrus and Annie Elizabeth Pauline Burrus. Hallie and Leon were determine to raise their family in the church. Her guidance will never be forgotten, her training and teaching each of us that we all needed to be saved, and that God was not our buddy or a play toy. So as our mother, she prayed with us at least once a week to ensure that we were saved for real. Over the last 30 years, Hallie has given to the Homeless Shelter, seniors of First United/Transformation Church of Jesus Christ, and people in need. She took the students of the Center for Creative Learning School (owned by the church), the children and parents of the Tuerk House for recovering addicts, and the children of First United on yearly trips to the circus; with transportation provided by Brother Roy Spence. All the work she did in the church cannot be written, as it would take pages to explain and give due diligence to the work she has done. Her efforts of making sure people, young and old were acknowledged and knew the love of God were endless. She leaves to cherish her memory: six children, Leon M. Burrus(Victoria Burrus), Mahalia Lutz, Allen P. Burrus (Olita Richardson-Burrs), Ruth E. Burrus, Annie E. Burrs and Melvin Robinson; seven grandchildren, A. Demetrick Burrus (Tamara Burrus), Mahalia Elisha Baynard, Renee A. Burrus, Courtney D. Burrus, Paul L.D Lutz, Kay Lauren Burrus and Jerid V. Demby, five great-grandchildren, Demetria Burrus, Paige Estus, Kenyon Lutz, Miliani Kraft and Kai Lutz.

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Mahalia E. Burrus

May 17, 1924 - August 21, 2013