Milkie J. Burns

1937 - 2016

Milkie Juanita (Gordon) Burns was born on Oct. 8, 1937, in Sylvania, Ga. Milkie was the 14th child of 15 children born to the late Elisha and Pearl (Kent) Gordon of Sylvania, Ga. Milkie graduated from High School at the age of 16 from Screven County Public School in Screven County, Ga. At an early age, she joined Simmons Branch Baptist Church in Sylvania, Ga. On June 7, 1954, Milkie married the late Theodore R. Burns Sr. (affectionately known as "T.R.") and joined him in Anchorage, Alaska, in April 1955. Together they had four children. She was very active in her community. She proudly served as an Election Chairperson for more than 30 years along with many other community outreach programs such as the March of Dimes. She later became a member, deacon, treasurer and mother of the church at Mt. View Community Church in Anchorage, where she attended for over 20 years. Milkie passed away on Aug. 17, 2016, at the age of 78, in Columbia, S.C., after a short bout of cancer. She leaves to cherish some wonderful memories are her loving children, Deborah (Michael) Wilds of Columbia, S.C., Theodore Burns Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska, Alton (Robin) Burns of Anchorage and Emmanuel (Denise) Burns of Milton, Wash.; her stepson, Willie Joe Cosby of Miami, Fla.; her precious nine grandchildren, Bradley Boylan, DeSean Grant-Burns, Marqeita (Jonathan) Gajadhar, Marcus Burns, Cherrelle Wilds, Brian Burns, Nathaniel Burns, James Wilds and Nicole Burns; and even more precious her great-grandchildren, Jonathan "3J" Gajadhar Jr., and Joelle (JoJo) Gajadhar and a host of many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends. Up until her bout with cancer, she cherished and lived life to the fullest and treasured her family and friends. She will definitely be remembered in the hearts of her family and family. In honor of Mrs. Milkie Juanita (Gordon) Burns, a "Celebration of Life" Memorial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at 3 p.m. at the Mt. View Community Church, 4301 Mt. View Drive in Anchorage.