Essie C. Burrell

In the early morning hour on Saturday, April 8, 2023, heaven gained a beautiful

angel. Essie Cornelia, loving wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, and friend to

all, at the age of 89, peacefully went home to live with our Lord and begin a life

of joyous, eternal peace.

Essie, known to most of her friends and longtime friends as "Connie," "Cornelia,"

and family as, "mama," "mommy," "ma," "gramma," "Essie," Ms. Essie," "Ms. Burrell",

"Coneya," life story began at sunrise in September 1933 in Selma, Alabama. She

was the oldest of four children born to Margaret Turner.

She was raised up in Colwood, West Virginia. She attended Excelsior High

School where she met the love of her life, Charles E. Burrell, Sr. They united in

marriage on December 26, 1951. To this union was born four children,

Glendoris Louise, Charles Jr., Margaret Lynn, and Sharon Yvette. During her

husband's service to the United States Air Force, she raised her children while

giving her unfailing support and understanding to make it possible for her

husband's lasting contribution to the Nation.

Upon her husband's retirement from the US Air Force in 1972, they made

Albuquerque, NM their home. Here in Albuquerque, mama continued her love

of bowling; gained long lasting friendships with her bowling team-mates. She

participated in many bowling tournaments in town and out-of-state always

having the time of her life. She served as Secretary for the AWBA for years; was

presented an award in 2000 for Secretary of the Year.

Mama had a flare for style and decoration. During the 80"s she worked as a

salesperson for Home Interior Decorations, going into homes showcasing home

decor and doing it all in style, dressed in her best. Along the way, she

developed a passion for elephants, collecting elephant designed figurines,

jewelry, hats, t-shirts, blouses, tote bags. She was a collector of hats and loved

shopping for clothes always with the bling catching her eye! She loved

travelling with family and playing bingo!

Mama was "mama" and "grandma" to all. She had that magic touch and softspoken

mannerism. She was the matriarch of our family and the glue that held

everyone together - supportive, forgiving, caring, always putting family first.

She is preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, grandson, her siblings,

two brother in-laws, and two sister in-laws. She is survived by her four children;

three son-in-laws, eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, two greatgreat

grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

We were fully blessed and graced by God to have your presence in our lives.

Your legacy will live on within us until we meet again. "Rest our Angel in

Heaven. Love you always."