Juan Stephen Burns

Mr. Juan Stephen Burns was born June 29, 1967, in Brinkley, Arkansas to the late Joffra Seaborn Burns, Sr. and the late Mary Etta Thompson Burns. He was one of seven children born.
He accepted Christ at an early age at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Brasfield, Arkansas where he served his early years. After moving to Pine Bluff, he served at Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Stuttgart, AR under the leadership of Rev. Tyler Green. He later became a member of Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James Murry until his passing.
He received his education from De Valls Bluff public schools where he graduated in 1985. He was active in basketball, football, and track. He later attended the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Juan had several jobs throughout his life span which includes Big Top Pizza, Up the Creek Catfish and Chicken to name a few, but the one that captured his interest and the one he devoted most of his time to was to the Arkansas Department of Corrections Tucker Max. He was employed for twenty-seven years at this one unit. He embarked upon his career with the Arkansas Department of Corrections Maximum Security Unit as a Correctional Officer in 1997. Where he was later promoted to Sergeant, Field Lieutenant a then to Field Captain until his passing. While working up through the ranks, he earned many titles-but if you really knew him you would know that he was not big on titles. He would simply say I am "Burns", "Juan Burns", who would later be known to many as "Unc". He went from working inside the unit on shift to working in the field riding a horse. Or as he would say, "bribing the horse with honeybuns."
Steve was a man of few words but kept a smile on his face and a joke to follow. When he spoke, he meant what he said and said what he meant. Even though he was not big on titles there were two he wore proudly and that was Husband and Father. His memory and the love he shared with his family will forever be cherished by his wife of 27 years, J'Avonnlon M. Burns of Pine Bluff, AR; two daughters Jarrell Synclaire and Ja'Rial Maree Burns of Pine Bluff, AR.
He also leaves to cherish his memories; one sister Elizabeth (Robert) Weeams of Denver, CO; two brothers, Joffra "Josh" Seaborn Burns Jr. of Pine Bluff and Donald Lynn Burns of St. Louis, Missouri; A loving mother-in-love, Reeda Elerby of Pine Bluff, AR; father-in-love, Jerry Elerby of Little Rock, AR, sisters-in-love, Tarrah Elerby, Linda Faye Burns, Crystal Burns, all of Pine Bluff, AR and Carla Burns of El Dorado, AR, a host of nieces, nephews and relatives and friends to survive him.
Juan was proceeded in death by his aforementioned parents, siblings Charles Bearnard Burns, Reginald Burns, Michael James Burns; niece Tiffany Q. Burns, and his loving sisters-in-love; Patricia Burns and Janet Burns.
Visitation 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church Pine Bluff, AR. Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2024, at Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church Pine Bluff, AR by Pastor James Murry. Interment in Harris Cemetery Biscoe, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, AR. His body will lie in-state from 9:15 a.m. until service time.
Obituary submitted by The Family.