Mr. John Henry Burns, Jr.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,  I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21 

Mr. John Henry Burns, Jr., “Bro.,” peacefully entered life everlasting and Christian victory on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Moses Cone Hospital. He was born in Reidsville, NC, on August 31, 1953, to the late Catherine Adams Burns and John Henry Burns, Sr.

Mr. Burns graduated from Reidsville Senior High School in 1971 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. He worked as a supervisor at Burlington Industries at the Reidsville Drapery Plant. He held a part-time position as a human resources development recruiter at Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, NC. Additionally, he was employed by Nestle Corporation in Danville, VA, in Quality Insurance and EPSU, and he held a management position as mail room manager at Remington Arms Company in Madison, NC. Mr. Burns was a member of Bethel AME Church, serving on the Steward Board and as a member of The Spiritual Ensemble. For several years, John also faithfully and diligently served as a part-time custodian at Bethel AME Church. He loved his church and his church family.

John was a man of God who always built up and encouraged others not only in words but in deeds as well. The life he lived still speaks for him. Some of his favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, and watching sports. He enjoyed music, joking around, and helping others. He loved his family and found great joy being a “papa” to his grandson, Jaydon Isaiah.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Ruth Stanback, Sr.; nephew, Clarence A.L. Marcellus, Jr.; nephew, Brandon A. Stanback; and sister-in-law, Stephanie S. Roberts.

Mr. Burns is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Min. Catherine S. Burns of the home; son, John H. Burns, III; daughter, Letha M. Burns; grandson, Jaydon I. Burns; siblings, Ruth B. Webb and Lawrence R. Burns (Maxine); aunt, Sandra K. Bentley; uncle, James Adams; nieces, Alethea S. Marcellus, Sharon Williams, Chandra Davis, Kenya Stanback, and Breeya Roberts; nephews, Michael A. Webb (Julia), Franklin B. Lemons, Monte Stanback, and Joshua Stanback; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Stanback, Earlene Stanback and Maxine Burns; brothers-in-law, Robert Stanback, Jr., David Stanback and Leo Stanback. A host of great nieces, nephews, family, and friends and a close family friend for many years, Milton Peele (Vanessa).

A Celebration of Life and Love Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Bethel AME Church, 112 Holderby Street, Reidsville, NC. The family will receive visitors and friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery. Public viewing will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the church.

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