Collis Bernard Burdett

Collis Bernard Burdett was born November 24, 1950, in a small house in the quaint town of Donalsonville, Georgia, to Gwendolyn Louise Carr and Collis Morris Burdett. Collis was raised by his great-grandmother, Ma Molly, as he affectionately called her. His mom and grandmother, as many women did down south, had gone north to find work while Ma Molly picked cotton while caring for “Bookie” as Collis was known growing up.

At age 9, his mom and stepdad brought him to live with them in Rochester, NY where he grew up and graduated from East High School. He became well known as a point guard for the varsity basketball team that had done what no other team had ever done before: winning the Interscholastic League title, the Christmas tournament, and all section V contests. He was offered athletic scholarships to attend college; however, he opted to attend the “University of Kodak” after graduation in 1969. There, he had not only a long career but is also remembered as a winning team member of Kodak’s basketball team.

Collis reunited with the love of his life, Lucy Childers, after 40 years and moved to Atlanta to marry her on 08-08-08 at 8:08 PM. Their reunion was a love, story Collis loved to retell to anyone who would listen.

Collis was preceded in death by his parents, Gwendolyn Louise Carr-Davis, Collis Morris Burdett, Stepfather, James Davis, and brothers Angelo Freeman and Walter Love. He is survived by siblings, Jimmy, Jeffrey, and Patricia. To carry on his memory is his loving wife, Lucy, his children Robin (Kimani), Collis, Nicole, Russell, Daniel, and Camille, along with stepchildren, Tai (Frank), Nicole (FJ), Camille (Paul), and Rashaad as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held on January 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at 2000 Cobb Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30060-3759.

Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life & Funeral will take place at the same venue from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on January 19, 2026. Placement of the urn will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org.