Geraline "Gerrie" Dickerson Burns

Geraline “Gerrie” Dickerson Burns, 83, passed away June 21, 2021 at the Bibb Medical Center in Centreville, AL. Gerrie was born in McComb, Mississippi on April 19, 1938 and was a 1956 graduate of McComb High School. In 1960 she earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Mississippi Southern College, where she was a member of the Chi Omega (Epsilon Delta chapter). After graduation, Gerrie moved to Biloxi, MS, where she met & married the love of her life, USAF pilot Tom Burns in 1962 and lived in Hutchinson AFS, KS; Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA; McComb, MS and Scott AFB, O’Fallon, IL before moving to Maxwell/Gunter AFB, Montgomery, AL where they retired and together they enjoyed traveling the world for 25 years with family and friends.

She loved family vacations, gardening, reading, dog walking, boating, fishing, photography, antiques, board games, cruises and volunteering at Baptist Hospital and Whitfield United Methodist Church in Montgomery. Gerrie had a passion for the great outdoors and a giving heart, especially for dogs, cats, birds & squirrels. She was a fabulous holiday and event planner and everyone always knew her gracious southern hospitality was genuine. She was also a selfless, devoted mother who consistently brought wisdom, patience and humility, along with her great sense of humor, to her abiding commitment to family.

Gerrie was preceded in death by her parents, Clem & Pearl Dickerson of McComb, MS; and by her beloved husband of 58 years, Lt. Col. Thomas P. Burns and her sister, Maxine Darden. Gerrie is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Burns Williams, son in-law Brad J. Williams of Atlanta, GA; son, Thomas Phillip “Phil” Burns Jr., daughter in-law Jami Brooks Burns of Montevallo, AL; grandsons, Preston Phillip Burns and Jackson Bridges Burns of Montevallo, AL; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces in California and Texas.

On behalf of Gerrie, the family wishes to thank all who loved her and stood by her side, prayed, visited and cared for her during her 9 year battle with Alzheimer’s.

She will be laid to rest on Friday July 2, 2021 next to her husband at a family memorial service at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.

Memorials may be made in honor of Gerrie Burns to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation: https://www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form