Rev. Rosalee Burns-Hayes

1940 - 2025

Rev. Rosalee Burns-Hayes

December 9, 1940 - October 13, 2025

Reverend Rosalee Burns-Hayes born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She departed peacefully on October 13, 2025. Rosalee was the second oldest of ten siblings.

Rosalee began her education in South Carolina. However, in 1948, the Felder family relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Rosalee continued her education in the Philadelphia public school system.

She began her career in family services until discovering her true calling in ministry.

Rosalee attended Philadelphia Bible College where she graduated with honors. She later spent two years at the Philadelphia Bible Institute College and Seminary working towards her master's degree. Remarkably, she earned her Doctorate in just three years from Drew University from where she also graduated with honors.

Following her studies, Rosalee completed a ministry apprenticeship in Plainfield, New Jersey, after which she was appointed Assistant Pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. She went on to establish Project Nurture, Inc., an organization in Millville, New Jersey that continues to serve underserved youth with food and educational services to this day. Rosalee was later reassigned to Atlantic City, New Jersey's Hamilton Memorial United Methodist Church, where she served until 2008.

In 1976, Reverend Rosalee met Evans F. Hayes, and together they formed a loving blended family union with three daughters and three sons.

Rosalee leaves behind her devoted husband, Evans F. Hayes; children, Vanessa Burns, Morris Burns, Sonya Burns, Eddie Burns, Ronald Burns and Tanya Burns. She is also survived by siblings, Marcell James, Shelia Felder and Sedvia Felder; a host of other family and many loving friends.

Homegoing services will be 12 p.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, Asbury United Methodist Church, 1215 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey, where friends may call from 11 a.m. Interment to follow in Atlantic County Veterans' Cemetery, Estell Manor, New Jersey. Arrangements entrusted to Greenidge Funeral Home, Atlantic City, where condolences may be left at www.greenidgefuneralhomes.com.

Greenidge Funeral Homes, Inc.

301 Absecon Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401