Obituary of Norma Jean Burnett Dillard

Norma Jean Burnett Dillard, age 83 of Duncan, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2021. She was born to the late John Marshall and Lena Boiter Burnett on March 22, 1938 and was married to the late Howard Erskine Dillard.

Norma Jean was a 1957 graduate of James F. Byrnes High School.  She earned her X-ray Technician Certificate from Spartanburg General Hospital and Licensed Practical Nursing License from RD Anderson Technical College.  She served as a nurse in many settings including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, private duty and the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.  In addition to her vocation, she was an excellent home-maker, cook and seamstress.

Norma Jean was a Christian and a longtime member of Abner Creek Baptist Church in Greer, South Carolina where she was involved in many areas including singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, working with the youth, serving with the Women’s Missionary Union, traveling on church-sponsored and medical mission trips and teaching English as a second language.  The family would like to thank her friends at First Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina who ministered to her during the last decade while she lived in Columbia and blessed her via their television ministry when she was no longer able to attend church.

Norma Jean was also active in her community.  She was involved with Baptist Nursing Fellowship.  As a breast cancer survivor, she walked many times in Spartanburg County’s Relay for Life.  She sang in the Greer Community Chorus.

Norma Jean loved to travel and visited many domestic locations along with Africa and Europe.  She enjoyed animals; her own and her “grands”.

Norma Jean is survived by her two children, Cheryl Dillard Hillard (Michael) of Columbia, SC and Homer Dillard of Spartanburg, SC, and six grandchildren who were the greatest joy of her life: Anthony Kernodle (Rachel), Travis Dillard, Melanie Dillard, Courtney Dillard, Bethany Hillard and Mason Hillard.  She is also survived by a number of other loving relatives and close friends including Joanne Coggins.

The family wishes to thank Generations of Irmo and Senior Primary Care who cared for her during the last years of her life.

A memorial service will be held at Abner Creek Baptist Church on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 11:00 am.  The family will be available for visitation at 10:00 am prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers the family offers the following options for memorial donations: 1) First Baptist Church Media Ministry, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 2) Operation Heal Our Patriots, on-line team: “In Memory of Norma Jean Burnett Dillard” or 3) Final Victory Animal Rescue, 810 Bryson Road, Columbia, SC 29205.

Family and friends may sign the online tribute wall at www.southcarolinacremation.com.