Rev. Dr. Robert Norris Burkins Sr., 67, of Simpsonville, SC loving husband of Wendy Zimmerman Burkins, passed away at his home on Friday, May 1, 2020 surrounded by family.
Reverend Burkins was born on March 11, 1953 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the eldest son of the late Robert Jake and Daisy Burkins, nee Giles. He graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in philosophy and religion. He continued his education with a Masters of Divinity in Biblical Studies and Languages from the Interdenominational Theological Center, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.
Most recently, he served as Senior Pastor at Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. Prior to that, Reverend Burkins was pastor of Cleveland Chapel in Simpsonville, South Carolina; Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange, New Jersey; and Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
Under his leadership, Elmwood became one of the largest African American Presbyterian churches in the United States and the only Presbyterian Church with three campuses in three cities. Reverend Burkins served as Moderator of the Newark Presbytery, founded the Leadership Roundtable - a peer ministry for clergy, and served in various capacities on several Boards of Trustees. He also spearheaded the establishment of the Harambee Community Development Initiative, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation in East Orange, NJ. Rev. Burkins was the Founder and CEO of My Help Ministries, Inc., a week-day morning devotional ministry.
Reverend Burkins was passionate about his work for the church, community, his family, and friends. In retirement he relished opportunities to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. He also discovered new pastimes, like baking, to add to his age old love of fishing and baseball.
Reverend Burkins is survived by his wife, Wendy and his two children, Robert Burkins, Jr (Anjali) of Brooklyn, New York, and Alaythia Burkins of Newark, New Jersey; and grandson, Cameron Burkins of Brooklyn, New York. He also is survived by nine siblings: Glenn Burkins (Patsy) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Nettie Greene of Columbia, South Carolina; Jean Cureton (Jasper) of Columbia, South Carolina; Marian Elder (Richard) of Atlanta, Georgia; Sandra Safford (Paul) of Herndon, Virginia; Helen Burkins of Atlanta, Georgia; Barbara McWhite (Michael) of Middleburg, Florida; Sallie Lassiter of Waldorf, Maryland; and Karen Burkins of Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Reverend Burkins will lie in state at Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, May 8, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects, but due to current restrictions, only a limited number of people will be allowed in the church at any given time.
Funeral services will be private, however, the service will be live streamed on the Mackey Mortuary Facebook Page and beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2020.
The live stream will be available at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Mackey-Mortuary-1741659659240226/
