Mary Sue Burns, age 94, formerly of York, SC and widow of Ray Burns, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026, surrounded by her family at Via Hospice of Clinton, SC.
She was born on June 26, 1932, in Aberdeen, NC, and was the daughter of the late Adair Cummings and Mabel Cummings.
Mary Sue was a proud graduate of Aberdeen High School where she played on the girls’ basketball team. She also began singing in her church choir when she was 16 years old. As an adult, she was a long-time, dedicated member of Trinity United Methodist Church in York, SC, where she continued singing in the choir for many decades until 2021.
In addition to loving her family, friends, and church community, Mary Sue enjoyed watching the Clemson Tigers, playing golf, decorating for every holiday, gardening, and feeding the swarm of hummingbirds that returned to her yard every summer. Known for her southern hospitality and her gift for entertaining, Mary Sue brought joy wherever she went and to everyone she met.
Mary Sue is survived by her daughters, Debbie Boland (Frank) of Clinton, SC, and Doris Jean Harris (Bret) of Lexington, SC, four granddaughters, and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband of 67 years, Mary Sue was predeceased by her brother, Charles Cummings, and her sister-in-law, Jackie Cummings.
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on September 11, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Wanda Altman-Shirah and Rev. Tom McPhail. Immediately prior to the service, visitation will be held in the Trinity United Methodist Church Parlor from 1-2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 22 E. Liberty St., York, SC 29745.
The family appreciates the dedicated staff at Clinton Presbyterian Community and Via Hospice of Clinton for their wonderful care.
Online condolence may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com
Bratton Funeral Home in York is honored to serve the Burns family.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Sue (Cummings) Burns, please visit our floral store.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
