Obituary: Joan Burns, April 21, 2012

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
Mar 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - April 27, 2012

Joan Burns passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, after an 18 year battle 
with breast cancer.
 
Family visitation was held on Monday, April 23, 2012, from 6 pm to 8 pm 
at Shaffer Funeral Home in Robert Lee. Funeral services were held at 2 pm 
on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at First United Methodist Church of Robert 
Lee, with Reverend Steve Peyton, officiating. Burial followed at the 
Robert Lee Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Shaffer Funeral 
Home.
 
Joan was born December 15, 1931, in Ethel, Mississippi. She spent her 
earlier years raising her and Paul's combined family of seven children 
on the Burns ranch west of Robert Lee. Subsequently, she dedicated over 
20 years of service to the Robert Lee EMS, volunteering as Director of 
the Food Pantry in Robert Lee, working as the Activity Director for the 
Robert Lee Care Center, as well as being part owner of a local flower 
shop and dry goods store in Robert Lee. Additionally, she dedicated 
countless volunteer hours to her church.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, C. L. and Kathleen Johnson 
of Ethel, Mississippi, and one brother, Jacky Johnson of Lampasas, Texas.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Paul Burns; two children, 
Kathleen Butler (James) of Sweetwater, Texas, and Jacky Preslar (Nancy) 
of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; five step children, Suzann Johnson (Richard),
Bill Burns (Linda), Sidney Burns (Cookie), Ernest Burns (Linda), all of 
Robert Lee, Texas, and Douglas Burns Shaffer (Marlane) of Fort Stockton. 
Eleven grandchildren survive Joan: Kelly Preslar, Thuy Jimenez, James Paul 
Skipworth, Shannon Grimes, Sheree Hardin, Dean Burns, Cameron Burns, 
Madison Burns, Jeremy Burns, Molly Burns, and Amanda Burns; in addition 
to 12 great-grandchildren. Her surviving siblings are Richard Johnson 
(Suzann) of Robert Lee, Carolyn Davis (Butch) of San Angelo, and Mike 
Johnson (Rhonda) of Ethel, Mississippi.

Pallbearers were  Terry Poehls, Joe White, Larry Martin, J. P. Burns, 
Jeremy Burns, and Dean Burns. Honorary pallbearers were Mary and Ben 
Bessent.

The family would like to thank dear friend, Mary Bessent, and Joan's 
niece, Donna Poehls, for all the special love and care bestowed upon her 
during her illness. Donations are encouraged to the First United Methodist 
Church of Robert Lee, Odyssey Hospice of San Angelo, Robert Lee EMS, or 
the Food Pantry of Robert Lee.

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