Obituary of  Leonard George Burns

On February 22, 1939, in Fairfield, Texas in Freestone County, Jessie Burns, Sr. and Bethenia Carter Burns had their fifth child, whom they named Leonard George Burns. His middle name "George" was significantly chosen because Leonard George was born on the birthday of President George Washington, and his paternal great grandfather was named George Washington—the one who reared his father and his father's sister, Ethel Burns Lightener, after their parents died. Leonard passed in Fairfield, Texas, on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
While growing up on a farm, Leonard learned many valuable lessons that would prepare him for life. At an early age, he professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and was baptized at the Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, which he attended during his youth. His received his elementary and secondary education at Matthew Dogan High School, from which he graduated in 1958. After graduation, he worked a while in Teague, Texas at the brick making factory. Later he was drafted by the United States Army. He served his country as a Green Beret, and he was greatly influenced by the disciplinary training he received. He was honorably discharged.
Leonard married Willie B. Daniel, of the Freestone County Community near Fairfield and Teague, and to this union three children were born—Sheila, Audrey, and Edward Anthony Burns. His daughters, Audrey and Sheila, preceded him in death. Later, after Leonard was married, and after he was discharged from the U.S. Army, he, Willie B, and their daughter, Sheila, moved to Houston.
While in Houston, he was employed by a plastic making company for several years. After the closing of that factory, Leonard received training in auto mechanics, and was employed by several service stations in Houston and by other auto mechanic companies, for which he serviced vehicles for Southwestern Bells and for a company in NASA area for many years. Later he transitioned back to Fairfield, and established his landscaping business.

After Leonard returned to Fairfield, he recommitted his life to Christ and joined the Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church. He became more active in NAACP, and he joined the Freestone County W.E. Wheat Chapter of the NAACP, where he recruited new members, championed the call for equality and justice for African Americans in his community in Freestone County, as well at the state and the national levels. He often served as a delegate or representative, and he had the honor of driving several youths out of state to attend their first national meeting of the NAACP. He remained a strong advocate for revitalizing the Freestone County Chapter where he served as NAACP President. Other recognitions include Democratic Election Judge in Freestone County. Along with his sister-in-law, Joycie Jones Burns, his sister, Christine Burns Gibson, and other early members, Leonard worked in the organization of the Dogan Alumni Association, where he served many years as Parliamentarian and helped in many other ways during the Dogan High School Reunions. While living in Missouri City, he served as one of the earliest presidents of the Houston Chapter of the Dogan Alumni Association.
Leonard will also be remembered for his love of jazz music and his collection of the recordings of several outstanding jazz musicians. He enjoyed calling and receiving calls from his son, his siblings, his nieces and nephews, his Uncle Robert Lee Carter, two first cousins, Anthony Carter and Willie Delores Edmond, as well as other relatives and friends. He shared his wisdom, opinions, and advice with his family and others. He loved entertaining his family in his home, and he shared an integral part in the planning of the Burns Family Reunions.
His parents, his daughters, Sheila and Audrey, his siblings--Bobbie (an infant), Fred Wayne Burns, Christine Burns Gibson, Floyd Ray Burns, Paula Faye Burns Lott, Billy Joe Burns, Jessie Burns, Jr. preceded Leonard in death.
Leonard is survived by his son, Edward Anthony Burns of Fairfield, TX, his grandson Nicholus Burns, of Dew, TX- (the son of his deceased daughter Sheila) as well as Nicholus' wife and two children, and a god-daughter. Other survivors include his sisters, Helen Maxine Willis of Fort Worth, Joyce Dean Burns Spears of Houston, and Loutish Burns of Missouri City; his Uncle Robert Lee Carter in Eunice, Louisiana, two first cousins Willie Delores Edmond of Los Angeles, California and Anthony Bernard Carter of Eunice. Louisiana, and a host of nieces and nephews, and numerous other relatives and friends.