Reverend Cecil L. Burns, Sr. went home to be with the Lord on February 20, 2009, joining his wife of 59 years, Donna Ashworth Burns, his oldest son, Robert Nathan Burns, and his first wife, Hazel Stringer Burns.
Cecil was born to William A. Burns and Amanda Wood Burns on September 16, 1921. He had various adventures in his life. He was in the CCC camp and was a bus driver in Beaumont, Texas when he met and married Donna Ashworth. He was proud of his service in the Navy during World War II, was a 52-year member of Pipefitter Local 211 in Houston, and he became a Baptist minister in 1953 and served as pastor in area churches, as well as in Seattle, Washington. His last pastorate was at Batson Prairie Baptist Church.
He is survived by daughter Yvonne Juarez and husband Joe of Port Neches; sons Cecil Burns, Jr. and wife Donna of Salem, N.J.; and Kenny Burns and wife Jamie of Baytown, Texas. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Lisa Holland and husband Sabin; Nathan Burns; Eric Burns and wife Sherri; Nelson Burns; Matthew Juarez and wife Kylie; Michelle Ford and husband Ed; Paige Stevens and husband Troy; Jason faulk; Ryan Thom; and Matthew Thom. Great-grandchildren include Keygan Burns, Kendall and Ava Holland, Peyton Juarez, Caleb, Alison, Joseph, and Jessie Stevens, Brenton and Brooke Ford, Katelyn and Kaden Faulk, and Brian and Kassidy Thom.
A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 5-7 PM. Memorial services will be held at Broussard’s Mortuary in Nederland on Monday morning at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at Guedry Cemetery in Batson, Texas.
