Mr. Henry Burns Jr.

BURNS, Mr. Henry Jr. - Age 97, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 317 E. Hamilton Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Allen C. Overton Sr., officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Burns will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. was born on December 4, 1922 in Raymond, Mississippi, the third eldest son of Henry and Marie Burns. Henry met and married LouVera Burns in Maywood, Illinois on August 8, 1950, and relocated to Flint, Michigan; where he resided for 69 years. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of the Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. He was a faithful member on the Counting Committee. Henry loved the Lord and his church family with all of his heart. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. enlisted into the United States Army in 1942 having served in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. was employed by the old Chevrolet Manufacturing plant on August 5, 1950, serving as Committeeman, Shop Committeeman, and Shop Committee Chairman. On April 11, 1981 he received the U.A.W. Walter P. Reuther Distinguished Service Award; U.A.W.'s highest award. He was elected to all U.A.W. National Conventions from 1960 to 1981, was active in the Substance Abuse Program, and joint council delegate from 1958 to 1981. Henry retired as the first African-American elected Chairman of the Shop Committee at Chevrolet Manufacturing on July 25, 1981. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. was a Patriarch and Devoted Husband, who loved helping and supporting his entire family. He enjoyed being a member of the YMCA of Greater Flint where he went swimming daily and trained for the 10-mile annual Bobby Crim race. He was also known for shooting pool, an avid hunter, and fisherman in the Dakota’s. He enjoyed riding his bicycle and tending to his 1-acre well-manicured garden where he donated much of the produce to the community. Henry loved to watch boxing and wrestling matches on television regularly. He also spent the majority of his free time tending to his grandchildren. Mr. Henry Burns Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: 3 daughters, Dr. Avon Lorraine, Paula Marie, and Jacqueline Denise, all of Flint; 5 grandchildren: Aubrey Brown Sr., Martia (Joseph) Thornhill of Hazel Crest, IL, Mark Jeffrey (Netra) Epps of Nashville, TN, Ashley Marie Burns, and Danielle Lorraine Epps of Flint; 1 brother, Tommie (Willow) Burns of Jackson, MS; 5 sisters, Rosie Burns and Ann Roberts of Chicago, IL; Mary Lee White, Nora Dawkins, and Lillen Kellum of Flint; 5 great grandchildren, Carmesha (Jewel) Carrington of Markham, IL, Aubrey (Nesha) Brown Jr. of Jonesboro, AR, Aubria Thornhill, and Joseph Thornhill Jr. of Hazel Crest, IL; Madison Riley Epps of Nashville, TN; a brother in law, and a host of sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins, dear friends and a loving church family. Mr. Burns was preceded in death by: his loving wife, LouVera Burns; daughter, Juanita Brown-Warren; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burns; 3 brothers, Odell Burns, James Burns, and Calvin Burns; and 1 sister, Marie Topps. Special Thanks to Dr. E. Saeed, Hurley Medical Center Staff, Serena, Joann, Lillen Kellum and Dr. George Washington Leo R. Crow VFW Post #8236 Commander William Saines.

Mr. Henry Burns Jr.

December 4, 1922 - December 17, 2019