T.J. was born in Robeson County, North Carolina on June 16, 1937, to father, Thomas Jefferson Burns, Sr., and mother, Mollie Miller Burns. The fourth of five children, T.J. helped out on his family’s farm and worked odd jobs such as a gas station attendant. His work ethic and desire to help his family led him to enlist in the National Guard at age 18.
After serving in the National Guard, T.J. began working as a prison guard at Central Prison in Raleigh. He met Celia Ann Brantley and they married on February 7, 1961 and moved to Cary, NC.
T.J. moved on to work with the Capitol City Police in Raleigh. From there he was employed at the NC DMV where he served as a Lieutenant in the License and Theft Division. He was small business owner in Cary until he retired and devoted his time to helping at the food pantry at the Dorcus Thrift Shop as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren. T.J. was a kind and compassionate man who loved his family, his church and his country.
T.J. is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Celia Ann Brantley Burns; by his parents, Thomas Jefferson Burns, Sr. and Mollie Burns; and by his siblings, Luther Burns, Jesse Burns, Grady Burns, Martha Thompson, Charles Burns and Hiram Burns. T.J. is survived by his children Thomas Jefferson Burns, III (Nancy); Mary Suzanne Burns Evans (Jason); and his five grandchildren, Thomas Burns, Joseph Burns (Krista), Holly Evans, Andrew Evans and Merrideth Evans. He is also survived by beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. The funeral service will begin on June 8 at 1:00 p.m. at Brown-Wynne, and a graveside service will occur from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens, 7601 ACC Blvd., Raleigh, NC.
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