ON 31 March 2015, General Eva Burrows (Retired) was remembered, celebrated and farewelled at Melbourne Town Hall, Australia, following her promotion to Glory on 20 March. Dignitaries from around Australia and the world – along with hundreds of Salvationists and members of the general public – gathered, while thousands watched the service live-streamed into offices and homes. Edited highlights are available here:
Colonel Peter Walker, Chief Secretary, Australia Southern Territory, welcomed the official party, after which Uncle Vince Ross brought the Acknowledgement of Country, saying that The Salvation Army’s General Eva was his people’s ‘Aunty Eva’.
Australia Southern Territorial Commander Commissioner Floyd Tidd gave a special welcome to General André Cox and Commissioner Silva Cox (World President of Women’s Ministries) who had flown in from Myanmar that morning. The Melbourne Staff Band and Staff Songsters led and supported the congregational singing of a number of songs, specially selected by General Burrows. Prayers were brought by Lieut-Colonels Frank Daniels and Lucille Turfrey, followed by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, speaking with much affection and appreciation of his connection with The Salvation Army and with General Eva in particular. Commissioner Beth Clinch read from the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, reminding those gathered that ‘what is so marvellous [is] that we can transform death’. Two passages of Scripture had been chosen by General Eva: Exodus 33:12-18 was read by Eva’s nephew John Southwell and 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 by Major Sandra Nottle. The video tribute that followed, voiced by General Eva herself, brought many to tears, as individuals remembered the impact she had on the lives of people around the world.
Officer and family tributes followed. Major Brendan Nottle, General Eva’s corps officer, brought a personal reflection on the way that she would place her hand on a person’s arm and speak into their life, while Commissioner Brian Morgan, a former Territorial Commander of the Australia Eastern Territory, spoke of General Eva’s influence across the Army world. Brother-in-law Dr Bram Southwell brought a touching tribute to this much-loved family member.
In his message, General Cox said that, despite him being the current world leader of The Salvation Army, in his mind Eva Burrows was ‘The General’. The congregation was reminded that General Eva Burrows was a woman who sought to be like Jesus, to love like Jesus, to serve like Jesus. Those who remember her attest that she did just that. The General Eva Burrows Thanksgiving Service can also be located on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJvaLLRzWt0
Report by the Australia Southern Territory Communications Office
