Dorothy Mae Burns

On May 6, 1961, Dorothy Barnes Burns and J.T. Burns welcomed their third child, Dorothy Mae Burns, into the world.

She attended Smith School in Norphlet for her first two years of school. She began 3rd grade at Norphlet Public Schools and graduated in 1980. After high school, she went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and lived there for a few years. She then moved back to Arkansas.

At an early age, she began attending New Providence Missionary Baptist Church.,

She was baptized there in 1973. She rededicated her life to Christ in September 2022 at a REACH Evangelistic Mission service.

Dorothy was known by several names. She was known by most of her siblings and cousins by her nickname, "Nimp," which was given to her by her father. To most of her friends, she was known by the name "Dee". To some, she was called Dorothy, which she jokingly referred to as her government name. Her greatest joy was being called "Moma" by her son and "Nana" by her grandson.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, watching westerns, talking with others, helping others, doing word search puzzles, baking pound cakes, and working with the Urbana Fest. Everyone loved her baked beans. She loved art, drawing, and making bulletin boards. She loved having fun and making people laugh. She adored her son's dog, Diesel.

She transitioned into her eternal rest at her home on October 18, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her father, J. T. Burns; her maternal grandparents, Jessie Inez Byers and Frank Barnes; and her paternal grandparents, Roberta Aaron and LaVerna Burns; as well as two nephews, Willie James Henry and Jeffrey Damon Burns.

Cherishing her memory are One son, Demetrius Burns of Norphlet, AR; one grandchild, Jeremiah Tamarius Burns and his mother, Loranda Tamil Burns of Kilene Texas; her mother, Dorothy Burns; four brothers: Leon Burns (Etha), Willie Burns (Delores) both of El Dorado, AR; Michael Barnes (Melanie) of Dallas, TX and Shane Burns (Tonya) of Smackover, AR; two sisters: LaVernia Green ( Louis) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Earlene Burns of Norphlet, AR; three bonus sisters, Sarah Stephens, Joyce Brice, and Faye Dismuke; special friends, Dorene Massey, Paula Ann Heard, and care-giver, Tareva Miller, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who will all truly miss her!

Dorothy leaves behind an unforgettable legacy of love, laughter, and light. To know her was to love her, and her absence leaves an ache that words cannot fill. She will forever be remembered and cherished by her family, friends, and all who were blessed to share in her life. The love, joy, and laughter she brought to her family and friends will live on forever. Though she may be gone from our sight, she will forever remain in our hearts.