A Tribute to Evelyn Burns, Beloved Member of Community Coalition

*For Memorial Service information, please scroll down.

 We recently lost one of our most beloved and long-time members—a woman whose quiet but strong presence had been with the Coalition for almost 20 years. Mrs. Evelyn Burns, who was 85, passed away in February 2010. She will be deeply missed by her CoCo family.

Mrs. Burns first became involved with the Coalition during the Rebuild South LA Without Liquor Stores campaign after the City was attempting to quickly rebuild a notorious liquor store on the corner of 39th and Normandie that had been burned down after the Civil Unrest of 1992. 

Mrs. Burns and various neighbors organized with Community Coalition to ensure that their neighborhood remained free of new nuisance businesses, drugs, violence and crime.

Ever since then, Mrs. Burns remained a true and committed member who without fail showed up to provide support, help and guidance to our many campaigns, events and actions.  

“She was very instrumental in any number of protests and actions that the Community Coalition organized,” said Mrs. Justine Clardy, a long-time friend and neighbor. “She was very committed to her community through the Community Coalition.”

She was a quiet woman with a strong presence whose dedication is a true testament to community organizing and spirit.

Mrs. Burns was part of the Community Coalition Council and was recently honored for her service and dedication at the 7th Annual Holiday Dinner where she also received a Certificate of Appreciation from CA Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

Our deepest condolences to her family.

Memorial Services

Viewing - Monday, March 8th, 2010 (call for viewing time)

Harrison-Ross Mortuary

4601 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043

(323) 584-1230

Memorial Service - Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, 11am

Greater Olivet Baptist Church

1646 E. 47th St., Los Angeles, CA 90011