Howard Burns Sr.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Howard Thomas Burns Sr., 77, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at his home near Sikeston.

He was born Jan. 24, 1936, in Sikeston, to the late the Rev. Thomas F. and Ethel Hawkins Burns. On Aug. 19, 1953, he was married to Ludene Cooksey at Sikeston.

Howard was a machine operator at Procter & Gamble, retiring in 1991. He had resided in Jackson from 1975 to 1997, but had lived here most of his life and was a member of Diehlstadt General Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; four sons and daughters-in-law, Howard T. (Debbie) Burns Jr. of Sandwich, Ill., Dennis W. (Terry) Burns of Matthews, Mo., James S. "Bo" (Laurie) Burns of Gordonville and Randal Rowdy (Amy) Burns of Sikeston; three daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn Diann (Rick) Knight of Oak Ridge, Donna Janice (Mike) Tucker and Tammy Jaenine (Mike) Hampton of Sikeston; three brothers, Earl Burns of Diehlstadt, Roger Burns of Sikeston and the Rev. Bobby Jack Burns of Diehlstadt; two sisters, Darlene Burns of Alton, Ill., and Sandra Hurley of Canalou, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Melissa Diakite.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Henry Dowdy; a brother; three sisters; and a great-great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the chapel, with Dwayne Kirkpatrick, pastor of Diehlstadt General Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Tucker, Brian Burns, Jeremy Grither, Gary Keeton, Richie Knight, Gauge Heady, Ashley Burns and Jerry Hart.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at blanchardfuneral.com.