From The New Era Herald, March 23, 1906
Submitted by Robin Sterling

Obituary. Mrs. Melvina E. Burttram, nee Millican, was born in Georgia August 29th, 1869. She departed this life March 18, 1906. Her father moved to Alabama when she was a child. She joined the M.E. Church, South, in Aug. 1885; was married to F.H. Burttram, July 29, 1886, unto them were born six children, one of them preceded her to glory. She was consecrated to God, to her family, to the church and to her friends and neighbors. She tried to make all feel free in her home, indeed she tried to make her home a blessing to her family and to her friends. She seemed to love everybody with a true heart, fervently. She was faithful and true up to her death. On Monday the 11th of March she was taken seriously ill with pneumonia. During all her suffering she was patient. She told her husband she would like to live and help him to raise the children, if it was the Lord’s will, but if not she was ready to go. Her friends and loved ones did all they could to relieve her, but she grew worse until the end came, Sunday evening, March 18th. Seeing the end was nigh she bid all goodbye, asking them to meet her in heaven. That night she fell asleep in Jesus. She leaves a husband and five children to weep and mourn their great loss, which was also her great gain. May the Lord bless the bereaved family and help them to be faithful and meet her in heaven. “Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors.” Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, from which non ever wakes to weep. S.H. Wilson

[Melvina E. Burttram, 29 Aug 1869 – 18 Mar 1906; buried Fairview No. 1 Baptist Church Cemetery]