Obituary of Thelma R Burroughs

COLUMBIA- A celebration of life and love for Mrs. Thelma Rebecca Burroughs, age 83, will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Powers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Mrs. Burroughs, wife of the late Eugene Burroughs, entered into rest Monday, December 4, 2023. Born in Camden, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Frank Reed and Mary Jane Lee. Mrs. Burroughs enjoyed going to the gym, exercising, canning food, traveling, decorating and being the social butterfly she was.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Mason Burroughs (wife Sandra) of CA; daughter, Janette Auguar of CA; brother, Theodore Kirkland of NY; 8 grandchildren; Clifton Burroughs (wife Stefanie), Paul Ditty-Brodzinski, Mason Burroughs II, Carrera Titus Utley (husband William), Lucien Auguar (Sanura), Ashley Burroughs, Bryan Burroughs, Christian Burroughs and bonus granddaughter Mariah Alexander;  5 great-grandchildren; Titus, Chase, Zaria, Elle and Dash. There are  a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who thought the world of Mrs. Burroughs’s love, laughter and overall persona.

She is preceded in death by her son, Eugene Burroughs, Jr, Siblings Boyce Reed (surviving wife Earlene), Jimmie Reed, Frank Reed, T.J. William, Thomas William, Edward William, Lillie Mae Whitaker and Kathryn Belton.

Affectionately known as Beck and Big Red, Thelma was adventurous! When we consider the places she lived, the lives she impacted and the love she gave, we can conclude that she threw caution to the wind. She lived healthy, her flare for decorating was impeccable and she was beautiful!

Born February 18, 1940, during an era that had challenges of its own, we can say with an assurance that she fought a good fight. It is unfathomable how she navigated the terrains of the late 50’s and 60’s as a single parent. She sacrificed, weathered storms, and with the love and support of dear friends and family and by the grace of God, she made it to shore on broken pieces.

She did a lot of things … from banking to sewing to interior decorating to security to dog sitting to retail and cleaning.  Thelma knew how to enjoy life and she traveled all over the world including South Africa, Europe’s  Paris and London, Hawaii, Canada, The Dominican, Turkey,  a  Mediterranean Cruise to include Greece and so many other places.

While Camden S.C. was home, packing her bags to pursue the next adventure was common. She has lived and loved in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., Bronx, N.Y., Las Vegas, NV, Rialto, California & Columbia, S.C..

Like the Primrose, the February flower, she was colorful  and she brightened  the lives she touched and  illuminated the path along her journey. We honor God for the life of Thelma Rebecca Burroughs: a  “Timeless Beauty” and a fun-loving soul!