Cordell John-Arthur Burns was born April 18, 1946 to the late Reverend W. B. Burns and Sallie Mae Morgan Burns.

While residing in Camilla, he was affectionately known as "Buddy" by family and friends.  In the Philadelphia area, where he lived for nearly fifty years, he was known as "Tex" by family and friends.

Buddy joined the Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.

He met the former Evonne McKinney, and they joined in Holy Matrimony in June, 1963.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Bonnie Ruth Wimberly and Oliver Mitchell; three brothers, Robert L. Burns, Wesley Burns, Jr. and Willie Norris Burns.

Cordell departed this life on Wednesday, September 6, 2003 at St. Mary Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Cordell leaves to cherish his memories his wife of sixty years, Evonne McKinney-Burns of Huntsville, Alabama; four children, Wendolyn (Edwin) Lee-Rozier of Miami, Florida, John (Darlene ) Burns of Albany, Georgia, Michael Burns of Albany, Georgia, Gretta ( Douglas) Snead of Huntsville, Alabama; loving grandchildren, Quantarius (Vanity) Burns, Shenatha Burns, John Burns, Jr., Van (Linton) Murray, Sekeenia Snead, Douglas Snead, Jr., Dexter Burns, Akkoya Burns, Matthew Lee, Kevin Lee, Ashley Lee, Maurice Lee, Alicia Rozier; three god-grandchildren, Haleem Cordell Higgins, Kimya Ming, Isaiah Young, Jr.; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is also survived by a cousin, who was like a daughter, Alexia Higgins of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Cassandra (Michael) Arnold of Atlanta, Georgia, Nedra (Ordrell) White of Newton, Georgia; two brothers, Anthony (Cassandra) Baines of Orlando, Florida and Sherman (Toya) Owens of Tallahassee, Florida; three sisters-in-law, Sara Pearl Burns of Camilla, Georgia, Annie Ruth Bowens of Atlanta, Georgia, Elonzia Mae Miller of Savannah, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Willie (Peggy) McKinney.

Buddy will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.  His jokes, laughter, and expressions of love will indeed leave a void.