Carlyle L. Burns, Sr.

Carlyle L. Burns Sr., 93, died on Wed., Feb. 5, 2014 in San Antonio, TX with his daughter, Janet by his side. Born on Sept. 28, 1920 in Indianapolis, IN, he was preceded in death by his parents, William Howard and Florence McHone Burns, brothers Ozia, Owen and David Burns; his wife of 56 years, Jennie Saied Burns; a daughter, Caroline Burns and son Carlyle Lee Burns, Jr. He is survived by his sons George S. Burns of VA Beach, VA, Edward P. Burns (DeLaine) of Springboro, OH and his daughters, Ann B. Matika (Rich) of VA Beach, VA and Janet B. Kohorst(Gary) of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren, Phillip, Austin and William Burns, Jennifer, Alex and Chris (Celeste) Matika and Ryan Kohorst and a great-granddaughter, Devon Charlotte Matika. From 1927-1939, Carlyle was raised by members of the Methodist faith at The Methodist Children's Orphanage on W. Broad St., Richmond, VA. There, he cultivated a great passion for reading, history, politics and vegetable gardening that would last a lifetime. Upon graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School, he returned to Norfolk, reconnecting with his mother and completed an apprentiship in welding/ship fitting at NNSY. As a member of the "Greatest Generation" he joined The US Navy Seabees and spent two and a half years in the Asiatic-Pacific/American Theatre of Operations during WWII. Married in 1948, Carlyle and Jennie raised their 5 children in Norfolk as he worked over 20 years as Credit Manager of Sears & Roebuck Co. on 21st Street. In 1972, the family moved to Great Bridge where Carlyle spent 30 years perfecting his organic garden and developing a keen interest in local politics with the City of Chesapeake. Jennie had a 20 year career with the Chesapeake Health Department. "The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live." John 5:25 NKJV