Charles Burns

Charles Abner Burns passed away February 1, 2015, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at Grants Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Don Springer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Wednesday one hour prior to services at the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Abner Burns and Marie Burns Lyle; sister, Lavine Stewart; and brother, Samuel E. Burns.He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Ann Styes Burns; his children, Charles Dennis Burns (Johnye), Terri Burns Wilborn (Tony), Marsha Burns Sprayberry (Jeff), and Kenneth George Burns (Angeline); ten grandchildren, Maj. Matthew Burns (Carla), Joanna Burns Averette (Ricky), Hannah Burns, Brett Wilborn (Lisa), Allie Wilborn (fiancé Matthew Moffit), Ashlin Sprayberry Bennett (Will), Chase Sprayberry, Anna Claire Sprayberry, Drew Burns (Sydney), Alex Burns McCune (Chris); and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Martha Hamilton, Earline Beck (Bobby) and Faye Hall.Charles Burns was born in Knoxville, Alabama, on March 11, 1931. He grew up during the Great Depression. His parents were sharecroppers, and Charles left high school early to help provide for his family.He enlisted in the Navy in August 1950, serving aboard the U.S.S. Gen. William Mitchell during the Korean conflict. He was a recipient of the National Defense, Good Conduct, Korean Service, United Nations, and China Service Medals. While in the Navy he completed his high school diploma, and was discharged in May of 1954 from NAS San Francisco, Calif. Charles worked at Gulf States Papermill, and later B.F. Goodrich from where he retired in 1998. He spent his retirement years as a volunteer for the Disaster Relief, and West Alabama Food Bank. He was always a good provider and worked diligently for his family and enjoyed helping others. He was the Tuscaloosa County Baptist Association 2003 Outstanding Missions Volunteer of the Year, and 2004 Man of the Year.Pallbearers will be his grandsons.Honorary pallbearers are friends of Christian Ministry and Disaster Relief and friends of Fosters and Ralph.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama.