Eugenia Burney transitioned into the arms of the heavenly father on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 the day of her late father’s birthday and her parents wedding anniversary.

Eugenia was born Wednesday, April 18, 1945 in Warner Robins Georgia to the late Eugene Wheeler and Eunice Wheeler, nee Alexander. She was the oldest of 4 Children. Early in life she was known by those in the 7^th avenue area as “Ruth’s Baby” because of the special bond that she had with her paternal grandmother, Ruth Long Wheeler. Eugenia is known to others by several different names. Some of these names include “Sweetie”, “Jeanie”, “Aunt Jean”, “Grandma”, “GiGi”, and her son’s favorite “Mar”. She was affectionately called “God mother” by a couple of her siblings because of her take charge ways and strong personality. Eugenia was a few years older than her siblings therefore, she helped to babysit and care for them if her mom had to run errands or go down the basement to wash clothes. Since there was only one car in the family and Mr. Wheeler needed it for work, Eugenia would often walk her siblings and a wagon to the market to shop for groceries for the family. Sometimes this would require more than one trip.

Eugenia received her formal education through Akron Public Schools at Robinson Elementary, Goodyear Junior High and finally… wait for it… EAST HIGH School, for which she boasted about “unmercifully.”  While at East she participated in the Glee Club and Ran Track. Eugenia often boasted of East High’s very high academic standards.  She later attended the University of Akron and also graduated from Hammel Actual Business College. Her training led to her working several jobs including, BancOhio National Bank, Society bank and Akron Public Utilities (Water Dept.) Eugenia was an outstanding customer service representative and cashier for the water department. She along with her friend Nancy Bolin would always go the extra mile to keep a customer’s water from getting shut off. Eugenia retired from the Water Department after 15 years of service.

Eugenia always had a word of encouragement to many she encountered especially when talking to young people: “Oh you can do that,” she would say, or she would say, “Why can’t you do it? You got as much sense as the next person.”  Like her Mom, she would often have words of wisdom to pass along. Some of these came from life experiences and some came from just common sense. Eugenia still counseled and encouraged people even after having a stroke. While at her nursing facility people felt comfortable sharing and talking with her. Many of the aids and nurses called her “Mama.”  Eugenia had 3 criteria to young women seeking that significant other and that was just to get to the “talking” stage: a job, your own car, your own place to live. If you don’t meet the criteria you have to keep it moving.

On August 31, 1963 Eugenia married Melvin Burney and to this union three children were born. Eugenia and Melvin had their ups and downs but nevertheless were together for 40 plus years.

Eugenia joined Phillips Chapel CME Church at an early age. She would jokingly say, “that’s right I know where all the bones are buried.” Eugenia served on the missionary board, Stewardesses board number 1 and the junior choir (the purple robe choir) for a brief time. Her greatest joy at church was attending Sunday School. Eugenia was a Bible master and trivia wiz in Sunday school.  Even after suffering a stroke she still recalled many events, and names in the Bible taught to her down through the years.

Eugenia had talent in the area of culinary and other gifts. Favorite dishes that others would rave over include her potato salad, sweet potato pie, broccoli corn bread, Spanish rice, and collard greens. Eugenia also was able to take old tires with rims, cut them, and make large flower pots with them. Eugenia enjoyed drinking Pepsi Cola, wearing White Diamonds perfume, Black Cherry lipstick and applying makeup. She would say “I’m gonna be ready even if I don’t get to go.” Eugenia also had the ability to remember everyone’s birthday in the family. She would often send a card or greeting and maybe a little something in the card.

Just as her mother did, Eugenia loved to read the 91^st Psalm for comfort and strength. Due to recent vision challenges reading became difficult but thanks to modern technology she was able to hear it read to her through the Bible Gateway application.

In addition to her parents, Eugenia Burney was preceded in death by former husband, Melvin Burney; son, Melvin F. Burney, Jr.; brother, Larry Andrew Wheeler;  special aunt, Juanita Wheeler Jones; longtime friends, Judith Adams and Florence Haskins; special friends, Melvin Moorer and Ronald Greene; her legacy and her love for family and friends will be forever in the hearts of sons; Brian A. Burney, Tyrone K. Burney; brother, Rev. Harry A. Wheeler, sister, Annie Ruth Wheeler ; Grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shavonne Nurse, Shatara, Tiara, Ciara, and Quinton Nurse, Sur’vaun, Sur’kya, Sur’lan, Sur’rayne, Sur’phora, Sur’asa Nurse and Ty’von Nurse; aunts, Jessie Walker, Carrie Rodgers, Mozell Pinkston, Leila Evolina Sanders; special nieces and God children, Tameika Boyd and Tamara Benson; cousins and prayer warriors, Cynthia Harmon and Penelope Pinkston; brother-in-law, Lamar (Yvonne) Burney; sister-in-law, Elaine Walker;  special sons, Reverend Derwood Lockett, and Dave Hamilton; special daughter, Terrie Nurse; special friend, Nancy Bolin and Pen Pal, Dorothy Hammer; longtime friends and confidants, Harold & Eunice Craig, and Ulius Benson and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.