Bonnie Sue Barber Burns

Bonnie Sue Barber Burns passed away peacefully at 76 in the early morning hours of January 7th, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida after a brief and unexpected illness. Her daughter and son-in-law were by her side. She spent the day before surrounded by family and friends talking, sharing memories and expressing so much love, joy and gratitude.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Robert, “Koger,” Burns; her daughter, Catherine Bertrand; son-in-law, Chad Bertrand; her step grandsons; and her sister, Kathy Jo Motzno. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney Jett Barber and Barbara Samuels Barber, and her sister, Linda Lou Barber.

Bonnie was born on December 5, 1949 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After her parents divorced when she was 12, she, along with her mom and sisters, moved in with her grandparents. Affectionately called Nanny and Granddaddy, she cherished her time with them cooking, gardening and making homemade ice cream at family gatherings. Running freely through the grass in their yard was a favorite childhood memory.

Bonnie graduated valedictorian from Caroline High School (Bowling Green, VA) in 1968. She received leadership and talent awards, 4-H All Star, Miss Fredericksburg Fair, Miss Teenage Richmond, and was Runner-up in the Miss Virginia pageant. She was the 1968 National Queen of Tobaccoland, crowned by Peter Graves (Mission Impossible, Airplane!) She toured the U.S. and Canada speaking and performing. She attended Oberlin Summer program performing in La Traviata (Flora), The Mikado (Yum-Yum), Camelot (Lady Anne) & Trial By Jury (Bridesmaid). She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor degree of Music in Voice from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC in 1972.

On July 15, 1972 Bonnie married Robert “Koger” Burns who she met while in college in North Carolina. After Bonnie completed her Master’s degree in Voice Performance at FSU in 1973, she and Koger lived and worked around the country for almost 10 years. In St. Louis she performed at the MUNY Opera, understudying the lead (Fiona) in Brigadoon, played by Victoria Mallory alongside John McCook (The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful). Other roles included Miss Fuller in Tom Sawyer with Don Grady (My Three Sons and the Mickey Mouse Club). She was in the Ensemble of the World Premiere of The Three Pintos at Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

In Florida she starred in productions at Country Dinner Playhouse (Kathie in The Student Prince) , Showboat Dinner Theatre (Tuptim in The King and I), Golden Gate Music Theatre (Anna in A Little Night Music), and San Carlo Opera Showcase (Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Dorothy Kirsten and in a second production as Cio-Cio-San). She was the choir teacher at Saint John’s Orthodox Day School in Tampa from 1977-1978 and frequented as soloist at the Christian Science Church.

She was a guest artist at USF and played Adele in Die Fledermaus in 1978. “Burns, a lovely and talented lyric soprano, stops the show as the maid masquerading as an actress. Her rendition of 'The Laughing Song', in the second act, displays her well-trained control and considerable range. “ – THE ORACLE

“It was Burns who really stole the show with magnificent coloratura in several numbers, particularly the waltz known often by the line "Kiss Me Once or Twice."' - THE TAMPA TRIBUNE

Her favorite role was Violetta in the Opera La Traviata in 1980 also at USF. “Burns has some extraordinary singing moments not only in voice but in vocal personality as well: she creates a strong character with her singing as well as strong arias." - THE TAMPA TRIBUNE

She was the winner of the Southern Illinois District Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1979. She and Koger also lived in NYC for about 6 months while Bonnie auditioned for shows and worked in the gift shop at Lincoln Center.

In 1980, Bonnie and Koger moved to Tallahassee Florida where Koger was General Manager of The Koger Center. They welcomed their daughter Catherine Suzanne in August of 1983. Bonnie loved the comradery of her neighbors and fellow church members as she began this next chapter. Bonnie enjoyed her new role as Mom, volunteering at Catherine’s schools, even accompanying her 6th grade chorus class at Swift Creek Middle School. She was a companion to her mother-in-law, Catherine Koger Burns, who lived in Tallahassee from 1989 until her passing in 1995. They shopped together and drove Catherine to her classes at Sharon Davis Dance School, Stubbs Music Center and Petite Players. Bonnie and Catherine moved to Orlando her senior year of high school so Catherine could attend a performing arts magnet program to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer and actress.

She and Koger moved into a new neighborhood in 2009, where they enjoyed many years in fellowship with their neighbors, including seasonal parties and even a carol sing at their house.

Bonnie encountered multiple health issues beginning in 2017, but fought courageously even attending her daughter’s wedding in 2018. She faced every challenge in the coming years with grace and led with her faith.

Her hobbies included studying her bible lesson, listening and singing hymns, learning about her ancestry, and watching Hallmark movies, British tv programs and classic Hollywood movies. She was known for sending unique and personalized greeting cards to her family and friends. She also loved to decorate her home for every season. Most of all she cherished spending time with Koger, Catherine, Chad, her step grandsons.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11AM on Saturday February 28, 2026 at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, located at 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL, 32312