Virginia B Burnum

Virginia Brewer Burnum, known as Jinksie, passed away on August 20, 2020. She was a longtime resident of Mountain Brook, Alabama. Born on May 7, 1929 to George and Virginia Brewer of Shades Mountain, she was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Anne Brewer and George Brewer Jr. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Denson Burnum, Jr., and sons Denny Burnum (Joann) of Franklin, Tennessee; Allen Brewer Burnum and David Logan Burnum of Mountain Brook; her grandchildren Anne Burnum Looney (Brian), Elisa Burnum and John Burnum (Fallon) and great grandchild, Ember.

Jinksie’s father, George Brewer, was a founding member of Brooke Hill School which is now Altamont School. She had many fond memories of her Brooke Hill days with her sister, Anne, by her side. Jinksie attended Goucher College and majored in Chemistry. She worked as a researcher before marrying Denson in October, 1950, right before he was deployed to Korea. They lived in several places before settling down in Mountain Brook to raise their sons. Later, she worked as an accountant/bookkeeper for the City of Mountain Brook.

Jinksie was committed to making our planet a better place. She belonged to and participated in many organizations – First Church of Christ, Scientist in Birmingham, Junior League of Birmingham, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, The Nature Conservancy of Alabama, Audubon Society and the Cahaba River Society, to name a few.

Jinksie was an avid gardener and birdwatcher. She planted extensive gardens around her home and no bird went unfed. Well recognized in the gardening community for her knowledge and expertise in native wildflowers, she welcomed friends on tours of her yard to look at the variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. She delighted in music and playing the piano.

Jinksie loved reading to her grandchildren and educating them about nature, birds and gardening. Her children and grandchildren remember the family trips to the beach with nostalgia as well as birdwatching weekends. Many friends fondly remember her gift of loaves of homemade Persimmon bread at Christmas time using Japanese Persimmons harvested in her yard. She was a loving and spirited person and is missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jinksie Burnum's name to The Nature Conservancy, any local conservation effort or plant a tree in her memory. Private services will be held at a later time.