James Benjamin Burns
August 7, 1939 — January 20, 2011
James Benjamin Burns, 71, died of heart failure on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at St. Francis Hospital.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Scott Hagan and Reverend Dick Reese officiating. Graveside service will be held 3 PM EST Monday at Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, AL. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. The following will serve as Active Pallbearers: Larry Love, Scott Jones, Dick Childs, Chris Tyra, Mark Shrunk, Brock Jones, Vince Nicolais, and Bruce Kemp. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Phillips, Gary Tomblin, Jack Osteen, Bill Dozier, Robert Willis, Sidney Crews, and Lonnie Whitehurst.
Ben was born August 7, 1939 in Anniston, AL to Robert Lee and Eva Gray Phillips Burns and grew up in Talladega County, AL. After graduating from the University of Alabama, his work with State Farm Insurance brought him to Columbus, GA where he later practiced law for over 30 years. When not offering legal counsel, you'd find Ben spending time with his family, playing on the waters of Lake Martin, or working out with his buddies at the YMCA. He was a devout Christian and dedicated member and teacher at Epworth United Methodist Church for over 40 years. Ben advised and contributed to local political candidates and served as a member of the Columbus Bar and Columbus Trial Lawyer's Association, Georgia Bar and Georgia Trial Lawyer's Association, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Quarterback Club. Ben was well-loved and respected by many for his generosity, guidance, and humor, and his spirit is eternally honored for his compassionate wisdom.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Hardegree Burns, daughters, Cynthia Lyles of Columbus, GA, Celeste Burns and her husband, Alex Johnson of Durham, NC and Cheryl Burns of Boulder, CO, and his grandchildren, Sophia, Beatrice, and Phoebe of Durham, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Epworth United Methodist Church 2400 Devonshire Dr. Columbus, GA 31904.
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity...
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Scott Hagan and Reverend Dick Reese officiating. Graveside service will be held 3 PM EST Monday at Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, AL. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. The following will serve as Active Pallbearers: Larry Love, Scott Jones, Dick Childs, Chris Tyra, Mark Shrunk, Brock Jones, Vince Nicolais, and Bruce Kemp. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Phillips, Gary Tomblin, Jack Osteen, Bill Dozier, Robert Willis, Sidney Crews, and Lonnie Whitehurst.
Ben was born August 7, 1939 in Anniston, AL to Robert Lee and Eva Gray Phillips Burns and grew up in Talladega County, AL. After graduating from the University of Alabama, his work with State Farm Insurance brought him to Columbus, GA where he later practiced law for over 30 years. When not offering legal counsel, you'd find Ben spending time with his family, playing on the waters of Lake Martin, or working out with his buddies at the YMCA. He was a devout Christian and dedicated member and teacher at Epworth United Methodist Church for over 40 years. Ben advised and contributed to local political candidates and served as a member of the Columbus Bar and Columbus Trial Lawyer's Association, Georgia Bar and Georgia Trial Lawyer's Association, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Quarterback Club. Ben was well-loved and respected by many for his generosity, guidance, and humor, and his spirit is eternally honored for his compassionate wisdom.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Hardegree Burns, daughters, Cynthia Lyles of Columbus, GA, Celeste Burns and her husband, Alex Johnson of Durham, NC and Cheryl Burns of Boulder, CO, and his grandchildren, Sophia, Beatrice, and Phoebe of Durham, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Epworth United Methodist Church 2400 Devonshire Dr. Columbus, GA 31904.
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity...
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