Ada Mae Burton

Journey of thee “One & Only” Ada Mae Burton Ada Mae Burton Waples, entered this world on a Tuesday, June 1, 1937. God saw fit to close her curtain of life on Monday, November 9, 2020. She was the daughter of the late Hurley Richard Waples, Sr. and Annie Mae Short. Ada was born and raised in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. She was one of six children and was preceded in death by a brother, Augustus Waples and sisters, Irene Morris and Martha White. She is survived by a brother, Hurley Waples (Estelle); a sister, Emma Harmon (Thomas) and one brother-in-law, William White. Ada received her education from Lewes Junior High School and graduated from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School, located in Georgetown, Delaware. During her early years, she was employed at Doxsee Clam Factory, in Lewes, Delaware, and Rehoboth Laundry and Allen Kirk Patrick, both in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. She was also employed at Townsends, Inc., in Millsboro, Delaware. Ada later made a career of caring for others. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and worked at Stockley Center, in Millsboro and at the Lewes Nursing Home, as well as, provided private nursing care. She would often receive telephone calls from locals requesting her to help care for their loved ones. Ada was blessed with five children, three of whom preceded her in death, Debra Patina Caesar, Zane “Zeke” Darnell Caesar and Zelda “Pumpkin” Winona Sample. She loved all of her children immensely and held a special bond with each one of them. Ada acquired the name “G-mom” at the birth of her first grandchild, which was unique to us because we had never heard a grandmother referred to in that way before, but it caught on, and her own children, neighbors, family and friends, all referred to her affectionately as “G-mom”. Ada was united in holy matrimony to Martin Burton, whom she lovingly referred to as “Marty”, on May 27, 1989. Throughout those 31 years, they saw many challenges, but more importantly, overcame each one with the love they shared. Ada was a proud member of Faith United Methodist Church, formerly known as Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, located in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. She would often tell stories of how her late grandfather, George Edgar Waples, would preach sermons, as he was a minister at the church decades ago. Ada was a classy woman with many talents. She had a love for fashion and was very rarely seen without lipstick. She would sew blouses and skirts for her sisters that were made from feed bags. She would also make curtains and aprons. She enjoyed modeling; often hosting fashion shows at the Four Hundred Club in West Rehoboth. If you knew Ada, you truly knew a queen! Ada also enjoyed cooking. She would sell dinners and her food was so good folks would call to pre-order and pre-pay for their platters. Oftentimes, she would be sold out before the day of the event. These events became so big that Marty was “employed” as the “delivery guy.” She would give him a schedule, then insist on giving him directions, even though, he knew where he was going. Ada was a pillar in her community. She has helped numerous neighbors from Milton to Rehoboth by providing transportation, cleaning their homes, providing meals, sitting with the elderly, giving advice, which she loved to do, or just being a shoulder to lean on when times got tough. She was never too busy to lend a hand. When visiting Ada’s home you would often find the furniture had been rearranged. . She was a “self-acclaimed” interior decorator, and changed things up almost every month. She was also a great storyteller and could make any story come to life as she recounted the event. Ada was a die-hard Redskins fan and enjoyed trash talking anyone who favored another team. She even made her own fan gear and would be found wearing it while cheering them on. She also was gifted to compose poems for different events. Her talents were endless! Ada leaves to cherish her loving memories, and to carry on her legacy, her husband, Martin “Marty” Burton; two sons, Zellus Lee Andrews Caesar of Smyrna, DE and Zelvin Wayne Caesar of Rehoboth Beach, DE; seven grandchildren, Tyshi Hazzard of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Terrance Hitchens of Georgetown, DE, Taren Hall (Timothy) of Georgetown, DE, Summer Church Johnson (AJ) of Salisbury, MD, Zelvin Caesar of Salisbury, MD, Alecia Caesar of Thorton, Arkansas and Janicia Church of Salisbury, MD; 16 great-grandchildren, Tyre of Milton, DE, Terrance, Jr. and Terron both of Macon, GA, Jakiah of Salisbury, MD, Zyaire, Tyleia, Timora and Titus all of Georgetown, DE, Mika, Myles, Zorra, Jordan, Xavier, Myah, Karah and Janiah all of Salisbury, MD; one great-great grandchild, Taleah of Milton, DE and one expected in April of 2021, that she was anxiously awaiting. Ada also leaves to cherish her fond memories, a godson, Orlando Farrow; a goddaughter, Victoria Gibbs; a god-granddaughter, Ashley Thomas; and an overwhelming host of nieces, nephews, cousins any many friends. We are thankful for the memories and love that Ada was able to give us throughout her 83-year journey!

Ada Mae Burton

June 1, 1937 - November 9, 2020