Brenda Thomas Burns

CONWAY, NC - Brenda Thomas Burns, a beloved member of the Conway, NC community, peacefully departed this life on August 30, 2025, at ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Born on January 24, 1944, in Newport News, Virginia, Brenda graced this world for 81 remarkable years.
Brenda was a graduate of Ahoskie High School, class of 1962. She dedicated her professional life to bringing beauty and care to others, working as a self-employed beautician in Conway, NC. Her innate compassion drew her to care for the elderly as a personal care aide, and she also found joy and adventure in driving a school bus for a short time.
In her personal life, Brenda was passionate about the simple joys. She loved frequenting the movie theater and had a particular affection for beach music, attending many events with her cherished sister, Agnes. A devoted animal lover, she held a special place in her heart for her feline and canine companions. Above all, she deeply loved her family and carried the memory of her late husband, Fred Burns, Jr., closely in her heart.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Ola Mae Vaughan Thomas and Duncan Lemuel "DL" Thomas, as well as her beloved husband, Fred Burns, Jr. She leaves behind a family who adored her deeply: her daughter, Brooke Stephenson, and her husband, James, of Jackson, NC; her grandson, Jon Fredrick Stephenson, of Greenville; her sister, Agnes Thomas Slade, and her husband, Alan, of Millennium; and her niece, Shannon Jones, and her husband, Brian, of Seaboard.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Brenda's life at a graveside service on Tuesday morning, September 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Conway Cemetery in Conway, NC. Rev. Dr. J. Brabban will officiate. The family will receive guests following the service.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the special caregivers who have helped with caring for Brenda over the last couple of years.
Online condolences may be left at www.garrettsykesfs.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, NC 27855. For further information, please call (252) 396-0202.