Mr. John Henry Burns, Sr., affectionately known as “John Henry,” was born In Burnsville, NC, on January 18th.1932, to the late Letha Polk and Leroy Threadgill.  He was educated in the public schools and graduated with the class of 1950 from Booker T. Washington High School in Reidsville, NC. He attended Bethel A. M. E. Church in Reidsville, where he served as Steward Pro Tem, Trustee Board member, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Chair of the Sons of Allen, member of the Bethel Male Chorus, and member of the Senior Choir.

Mr. Burns was a member of the Good Neighbors Association, a member of Men In Christ, a member of the Reidsville Human Relations Board, a member of the NAACP, and a Cub Scout Master of Troop 979. He worked at American Tobacco Company in Reidsville, NC, for over 25 years as a machine operator before retiring.  Mr. Burns was a Past Master of Lone Star Lodge #33 F&AM (PHA), Advisor for the Knights of Pythagoras, Past Commander In Chief of Reidsville Consistory #224, and a member of Khalif Temple #144. He loved football and was a Carolina Panthers Fan. Mr. Burns was a Faithful Man of God and well known in the Church and community and definitely in the A. M. E. Church. He attended revivals, church conferences, Bible studies, church meetings, visited schools and other forums. He was very involved with the church and community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine A. Burns, and brothers, Thomas and Leroy.

He is survived by his children, Ruth B. Webb (Percy F. Lemons), John H. Burns, Jr. (Catherine), and Lawrence R. Burns (Maxine); special daughters, Cathy Watkins, Tracey Troxler, Rev. Dr. Patrice Fields, and Rev. Crystally W. Covington; special son, Milton Peele; grandchildren, Clarence A. L. Marcellus, Jr. (Alethea), Michael A. Webb (Julia), Franklin B. Lemons, Letha M. Burns, John H. Burns, III, and Dr. Jasmine Harris; special grandchildren, Sharon Williams and Marcus Williams; great-grandchildren, Mikkah Marcellus, Deonjala Riley, Ihzayah Marcellus, Izrael Marcellus, Izekiel Marcellus, Kaleigh Troxler, Skylar Troxler, Deshari Webb, Osiris Webb, Mekka Webb, Elijah Webb, and Jaydon Burns; brother-in-law, James Adams; sister-in-law, Sandra Kaye Bentley; special Cousin, Nancy Argene Henderson, Johnny Burns, special friends, Freedia Jones, Rose Palmer and Betty, James Mills, Beatrice Tucker, Adolphus Keesee, and a host of family, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Service of Love will be given at 11:30 am on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 112 Holderby St., Reidsville, NC.  The family will receive visitors and friends from 11 to 11:30 am on Saturday. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery.  Public viewing will be at the church on Friday, October 25th, from 1 to 6 pm.  

The live streaming service for Mr. John Henry Burns, Sr., will be available for viewing approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the service. Click the link below.

 https://www.youtube.com/@JohnsonandSonsLiveHighpoint