Dr. Barbara Lynn Burns

Barbara Lynn Burns, PhD, (December 9, 1950 - October 31, 2018) passed away on October 31, following a long illness. Barbara was born in East Orange, New Jersey, but grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, from age five through 17. She attended University of South Florida, where she earned a BA in American Studies. Barbara moved to Atlanta in 1971. She often spoke with great fondness about her involvement with Kelly’s Seed and Feed Theater in the 1970s. Inspired by having attended the 1968 March on Washington and hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speak, she maintained a lifelong passion for social justice. Barbara received a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and enjoyed a career as a psychotherapist for nearly 30 years. Among Barbara’s greatest joys were trips to the beach whenever possible, gardening, collecting art, and having a good laugh with family and friends. Barbara is predeceased by her mother, Virginia Brownlee Burns, and father, Michael Joseph Burns. She is survived by her daughter Amanda Burns Bent (Benjamin Kovach), brother Jim Burns (Carolyn Crabb), sister Sherry Burns, nephew Michael Burns (Lauren Boggs) and grandniece Carina Rose Burns, nephews Heath Burns and Sean Burns (Erin) and past sister in law Rosa Burns. A memorial reception will be held on Saturday, November 10, at 2:00 pm at 1719 Johnson Road NE, Atlanta, GA, Please wear vibrant colors in honor of Barbara. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Barbara’s memory to the charity of your choice.