Joe Burns

Joe Lee Burns Sr. was born June 9, 1939 to St. Joseph and Mother Skiry Burns in Hayti, Missouri. He followed several Burns Family members to Saginaw, Michigan, where most of them reside, aside from those still in the Chicago area.
Upon his arrival, he served under the Late Supt. Calvin Beatty for many years as Brother Joe, assisting him as his Right-Hand in many capacities. He was also renown for his Leadership in the choir during those years. Pastor Beatty called him "the Songbird from the South". He married Missionary Effie Lee Burns, and they raised two daughters. Later, he united with Patricia; from that union came three sons and four daughters.
He was employed for several years with General Motors Malleable Iron; he served as a Housing Supervisor for the City of Saginaw, later gaining employment with the State of Michigan and retired as an Electrician. Brother Joe was not only very talented, he was also very gifted. He loved music and became a self-taught musician (organ and piano), serving under several family members who Pastor in the Saginaw Community. He was loved by those who knew him.
To cherish his memory Brother Joe leaves four sons, Dennis (Chicago), Donnie, Jerry and Joe Lee Jr. all of Saginaw; six daughters, Jamice ("B.B."). Renee, Mary, Sylvia, Skiry and Michelle, all of Saginaw; eighteen grandchildren; five sisters and five brothers, Mary (James) Watson, Ida Caldwell, Dan (Etta) Burns, Leon (Dorothy) Burns, Leonard (Diana) Burns, Dorothy (Reubin) Marselis all of Saginaw, Bernice Burns and Geraldine Riley both of Chicago, IL, sister-in-law, Ernestine (the Late Walter) Burns of Chicago, IL, Robert and Dewitt Campbell; The New Faith Temple Church family and a host of other family and friends.
Brother Joe was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Laura, Ora, Margaret, Roberta, Irene and Lenora and brother, Walter Burns.
Brother Joe was a member of his Late Sister's Church, New Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C., under the Leadership of Pastor Charles Coleman. He always kept busy, helping however he could. Everyone who knows Brother Joe, knows that he truly loved the Church, always finding some way to serve -- May the Works he has done speak for him!