Gary Franklin Burns

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at 12th Street Baptist Church for Gary Franklin Burns, 82, Gadsden, who passed away Friday, Aug. 8. 2014. The Revs. Harris Hand and Craig Carlisle will officiate. Burial will be in Williams-Southside Memorial Park.
Birmingham Cremation Services, Woodstock Chapel, is in charge.
He was admitted in 1958 in Alabama; 1959, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court Law School; University of Alabama (LL.B., 1958). He was a member of the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi. He was a 1955 graduate of Jacksonville State University. He was a member of Sigma Delta Kappa, County Attorney, Etowah County, 1962-1966, and a member of the house of representatives, 1962-1965. He was a member of the Etowah County and American Bar Associations, Alabama State Bar, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, Etowah County Plaintiff's Lawyers Association (president, 1971-1972). He had practiced law for 55 years in Gadsden and all over Alabama. He served in the Army National Guard. He was a member of Zamora Shrine for 50 years, the Masonic Lodge for 50 years, Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as a Gideon.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jayne Burns, who took care of him for the past two years during his sickness. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Ashley Burns Gidley (Greg); sons and wife, Stewart Burns (Kelly) and Frank Burns; stepchildren, Glenn Newsome (Linda) Whitehouse, Texas, Donna Newsome, Birmingham, Michelle White (Larry), Attalla; grandchildren, Patty Burns, Hali Burns, Zack Burns, Mandy Burns, Brooks Burns, Sydney Smith, Lake Burns, who always listened to Big Daddy's stories no matter how long they were, Gary enjoyed his many visits while he was sick; and great-grandchild, Maddie Brown; sister, Elza Grace (Boots) Wentzel, Trussville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy Jenkins (Billy), Springville, Susan Whitehouse (Randall), Mountain Brook; nephew, Scott Whitehouse. He is also survived by niece, Judy Fulford (William) who has been helpful in many things and visiting, and many other nieces; nephews, Walter Burns, who would be called by Gary no matter was time of night or morning, Ralph Wentzel, who was his buddy, and other nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Warren Burns; grandson, Trey Burns; sisters, Mary Edith Hensley (Elwood), Martha Julia Tidwell (Woodrow), Alice Tidwell (A.B.), Jane Nordman (Reynolds-Buddy), Frances Nell Burns; brothers, Arthur Burns (Jean), Arthur was district attorney for several years, Herbert Burns (Lois), George Burns (Lucille); and by a partner in practice, Douglas Burns.
Honorary pallbearers are Frank Burns, Stewart Burns, George White, Richard Carr, Al Shumaker, Tom Davis, Randall Whitehouse, Billy Jenkins, Ronnie McClure. Chris Garner, Whaley Tedder, Keith Copeland, Frank Bailey, Billy Davenport, Matling Adams, Billy Yates, Ralph Godfrey, Dennis Adams, Harry Yocum, all judges and attorneys of Gadsden and throughout Alabama who were his friends in practice.
Pallbearers are Greg Gidley, Walter Burns, Ralph Wentzel, Ben Reed, Harold Quattlebaum and Billy Clyde Stewart.
Special thanks to Drs. Fredrick Wayne Kelly, Dr. Elquis Castillo, Dr. Lowndes Harrison, Hilmon D. Holley, all Birmingham doctors at U.A.B., Cremations of Birmingham, Woodstock Chapel and to Lance Millette, the funeral director, Doug Williams at Williams Southside Memorial Park, Gentiva Home Health & Hospice of Gadsden and Birmingham, Gadsden caregiver, Sheila and Chaplain, Birmingham caregiver, Cynthia, nurse Randi Lynn, Chaplain John Churchill, and all the others that were so helpful.
The family requests no flowers. Donations may be made to 12th Street Baptist Church, Way Of The Cross Ministries or Bellevue Methodist Church.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at 12th Street Baptist Church.