Mary G. Burr

Cheraw, SC

Mary Alene Gentry Burr entered into eternal rest on November 2, 2025, at her home in Cheraw, SC. Mary was born October 8, 1938, in Americas, GA to Landon Miles Gentry and Jayne Turnage Gentry. At a young age, Mary’s family moved to Fayetteville, NC where her father was stationed during World War II. Mary attended kindergarten at First Baptist Church and first grade at St. Patrick’s Catholic School. She rode the city bus alone to school both years. She always said she has been a latch key kid since age 5. During 2nd grade, Mary moved with her mother and brother to the family farm in Teals Mill, SC. Mary attended 2nd – 6th grades at Stafford Country School. She attended Cheraw Public Schools beginning with 7th grade and graduated in the top of her class from Cheraw High School in 1956. Mary attended Coker College for one year on scholarship. Her first job was in insurance, and she later became certified as a banker at South Carolina National Bank.

Mary was married to Thomas Edward Burr on October 18, 1959. She had three children – Thomas Edward Burr, Junior, Stephen Scott Burr, and Mary Jayne Burr Board (Stephen). She was a stay-at-home mother until 1977 when she began her 30-year career with the Town of Cheraw as Program Coordinator at the Cheraw Parks & Recreation Department. Mary was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Cheraw and held many positions including leading the JOY Club for thirteen years. Mary was the first recipient of the Roy Lee Smith Volunteer Award. She oversaw the acolytes during the years her children served as acolytes. Mary was a member of the Church Council, Choir Mother, Children and Nursery Techer, and taught crafts and helped with refreshments for Bible School. She was an officer in Women of Faith, baked cakes for BBQ bake sales, made the first Chrismon ornaments for the FUMC Christmas Tree. Mary and her children made the first wreaths for the sconces in the sanctuary for Christmas. She made contributions to the Period Clothes Exhibit for the Church’s Bi-centennial event. She was a member of the Merciless Methodists, First United Methodist Church’s Relay for Life team. Additionally, Mary was a Lay Leader to the annual church conference for five years.

Mary was a scout leader and won the Silver Fawn award for her many years of work with the Cub Scouts. She was Den Mother and helped others to start up their own troops. She also taught scouts for the Pee Dee region.

Mary worked as Program Director for the Cheraw Recreation Department from 1977 until 2001. Additionally, she worked part-time as the Executive Director with the Cheraw Arts Commission, which she formed in 1980, until her retirement in 2001. Mary, along with Gail Ingram and Jennifer Rayfield, won a National Presidential Award from the National Parks and Recreation Association for the program the three developed on Dizzy Gillespie through Arts in Education. The three received the award at the NPRA conference in Denver, CO. Mary also put together the first Spring Festival in Cheraw and worked tirelessly for many years on this event. Mary was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Parks & Recreation in 2001.

Mary is survived by her children Thomas Burr, Jr., and Jayne and Stephen Board, as well as many beloved cousins. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Johnny, and her beloved son Stephen Scott Burr.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Kiser Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM in First United Methodist Church, Cheraw, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made the Stephen Scott Burr Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church or to the American Red Cross Relay for Life.