10/28/2025
Mary Elizabeth Burruss
Mary Elizabeth Burruss of Palmyra, Virginia started her life journey 88 years ago on May 1, 1937, in Nelson County, Virginia. She was born to the late Sidney and Celest Page. She was called to her heavenly home on Friday October 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
At an early age, Mary joined Locust Grove Baptist Church in Faber, Virginia. Later in life she became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia where she remained a member until her departure. Mary attended school at the Nelson County Training Center and graduated in 1956. She received her Cosmetology License from Brutons in Charlottesville. Her working career began in 1957 at the Monticello Hotel, where she met the love of her life, Lloyd. Mary worked for many years at General Electric Company and in the Nutrition Department for Charlottesville City Schools until her retirement. As most of you know, Mary babysat a lot of children in our community who brought her so much joy. Mary loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Mary had a beautiful and heartfelt way of expressing her love through her cooking. Sunday dinners were a ritual, and all were welcome.
Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted husband of 68 years Lloyd Burruss, Sr., affectionately known as “Bo”, her children, Lloyd Burruss Jr. (Pamela) of Palmyra, VA, Victoria Burruss-Jones of Charlottesville, VA, Angela Burruss-Terrell (Mark), of Keswick, VA., Kathy Palimore (Scott) of Richmond, VA, Stefanie Calloway (Thomas) of Keswick, VA, and Lorenzo Burruss (Sarah) of Charlottesville, VA. Her grandchildren Jessica Burruss (Keyone), Danielle Freeman (Gary), Brittany Burruss, Codie Burruss, Justin Palimore, Keri Palimore, Thomas Calloway II (Kitty), Sydney Calloway, Mark Terrell II (Chloe), Lorenzo Burruss II, and Zoe Burruss. In addition, her great grandchildren Taylor, Jayden, Amiyah, Tysen, Bryce, Thomas III, Beau and Cruz. One sister, Marjorie Morse of Charlottesville VA., two sisters-in-law Dorothy Page of Orange VA., Alberta Page of Spotsylvania, VA., and one brother-in-law John Morse of Piney River VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Sidney and Celest Page, her brothers John Page, Howard Page, Norman Page, Herbert Page, George Page, Chester Page, Sidney Ross Page and Alex Page; her sisters Edith Jones, Annie Mae Powell, and Lucille Campbell; one son-in-law Cecil N. Jones Jr., and one grandson Scott Palimore II.
Viewing will be held from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at J. F. Bell Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Avene. She will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
Arrangements provided by J. F. Bell Funeral Home Inc. condolences may be expressed to the family via the guestbook at
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