Obituary of Renee Burton

There is an African proverb that states, “Death, for all his power, cannot carry water from the river with a sieve." African scholars have translated this quote to mean that death may claim the body, but it can never claim our soul. All good proverbs are birthed from stories. Stories of life, love, death, loss, failure, or success. This is a story of the life of Renee, an unstoppable force of nature who led a meaningful and impactful life with cherished friendships, loving family, deep faith, loyalty, generosity, adventure, and an extraordinary strength in the face of adversity. The story of Renee Burton began on June 18, 1960, the day she was born to Lambous Burton and the late Vernesa Burton in Paterson, New Jersey. For many years she was an only child, with close cousins serving as her siblings. That was until her brother Lorenzo was born. No longer an only child, she maintained close relationships with her cousins, and loved the newest arrival to the Burton family. Renee graduated from Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, NJ in 1978. She went on to attend business school and acquire certifications allowing her to excel as an Executive Assistant for many prestigious Fortune 500 organizations. Looking for a change, Renee added a new chapter to her story by obtaining a real estate license where she worked for many years with Brown Realtors in Voorhees, NJ. If you wanted competent and knowledgeable real estate advice, she was the person to ask. She was passionate about real estate and enjoyed working with her clients. Renee found much to love in her life, with one of her first loves being the church. The story of Renee’s Christian experience was written at an early age at Hopewell Baptist Church and Solid Rock Baptist Church, where she was a dedicated and faithful member. As an adult in the church, Renee became a woman of action, assuming roles in the choir, culinary, new membership orientation ministries, as a discipleship graduate, and as an usher at Morning Star, Bethany Baptist Church and Victory in Christ Christian Center. She found her passion in doing good works in the church and as a member of the National Hook Up of Black Women organization, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and their families by supporting community-focused programs. As with anyone, the chapters in Renee’s book were written with disappointments, triumphs, and plot twists. No great story is without the trials and tribulations that the hero must overcome. In this story of a life, our heroine’s greatest triumph and crowning achievement was the birth of her daughter, Revaé who would grow to be beautiful, brilliant, generous, funny, and kind. Renee’s hopes, dreams, and the essence of her very heart were embodied in her only child. As a single mother, life often meant struggle and sacrifice. However, Renee bore every burden with dignity, grace, and a ferocity that compelled her to form a protective village of family and friends around her child. She ensured that needs were met and hopes and dreams nurtured and always kept within her daughter’s grasp. She was very proud of Revaé, her compassion, and accomplishments a testament to her mother’s investment of love that knew no limits. Inseparable, when you saw one, you saw the other—mother and daughter bonded in love and friendship. Renee’s legacy will definitely live on in Revaé as she has the same loving and infectious spirit. Renee had many interests during her life including art, music, singing, and fast cars, as she had a need for speed. She enjoyed people—often finding herself enjoying an afternoon of people watching at a favorite spot. Renee dreamed of travel and adventure—setting goals for international journeys to exotic places where she would surely make fast friends with adoring locals. She was a plant whisperer with an extraordinary green thumb. Renee would rescue ailing plants belonging to family and friends and would nurture them with otherworldly care before returning them restored and whole. Renee was a gifted seamstress. With her love of- and acumen for- sewing, she became an entrepreneur by founding the company, “Bonnets by Renee.” On the weekends, you could catch her at a featured event with her vibrant bonnets sought out by men and women alike. She loved doting on babies, spending time with family and friends, nurturing long-term relationships, and always finding meaningful ways to strengthen family bonds. She’d often send birthday and holiday cards, or a simple text message to let you know that you were on her mind. Renee was loved by everyone fortunate enough to know her. At times it was difficult to know of the obstacles she encountered in life, often choosing to guard her troubles and focus her energy by taking care of those around her. Renee loved life, never dwelling on a diagnosis, instead thinking of what she could do tomorrow. She was a strong-willed woman whose spirit loomed larger than life. Renee leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her father Lambous Burton who adored her, daughter, Revaé Burton her spirit twin, brother, Lorenzo Burton who loved his big sis, sister-in-law, Dawn Burton who admired her like no other, aunts, Eva Lawson, Sadie Drumright, Jean Crawley, Sylvia Whitt (Charlie), Willie Sue Dance, Gloria Brewer, Octavia Burton, Annie Burton and Laura Dance, uncles, Roosevelt Dance (Joanne), Rufus Dance (Oneida), and a host of cousins and friends whose lives will never be the same without her. Not all stories have an ending. Sometimes there is merely the cessation of the current story with an anticipation of exciting sequels imagined in the hearts and minds of those who loved the original tale. As long as Renee is remembered, she will be eternal. Her story continues with those who left before her…the next adventure begins.