Catharine Louise “Kay” Somers Burns

Published 10:14 am Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Funeral services for Catharine Louise “Kay” Somers Burns are Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 12 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial in Riverwood Memorial  Park.

Visitation is Wednesday, May 18, 2016, from 10 a.m. until noon at the funeral home.

Mrs. Burns, 91, of Brookhaven, died Sunday, May 15, 2016. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Aug. 12, 1924, to Lucius Virgil Somers and Ethel Elizabeth Snider Somers.

She grew up in Poe, Indiana and graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, during World War II. While at Ball State, she met her future husband, a native of Brookhaven, Frank Burns, who was stationed there as a Naval aviator. They moved to Brookhaven after their marriage.

Mrs. Burns was a teacher for Brookhaven Public Schools for 30 years, beginning in 1946. Teaching was her passion, and she has created a lasting legacy through the many children of Brookhaven whom she taught to read. After her retirement, she and her husband, Frank, became heavily involved in the operation of Brookhaven Nurseries.

Her work, family and church life were intertwined throughout her life. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving under seven pastors. She taught both children and adult Sunday school and Training Union and served on the nominating committee, personnel committee, pulpit committee and flower committee. She was chairman of the courtesy committee and the preschool Sunday school coordinator. Mrs. Burns was active in various clubs and organizations, including Exchangettes, Mother’s Culture Club and the Camellia Society. She was a fixture for decades at the Exchange Club Fair, where she fed many with tireless effort and a smile. She had many, many friends, and she treasured each one. She loved time with family and friends over a game of bridge, cookouts, after-church fellowships, and water-skiing.  She loved to cook and was an avid reader, particularly of mysteries. She enjoyed Bible study and was often found with her Sunday School lesson and Bible open on the kitchen table. Mrs. Burns loved to learn about new places and spoke often about she and her husband’s 50^th wedding anniversary trip to Maine.

Mrs. Burns was immensely proud of and connected to her children, Jill and Ted. Her encouragement and Christian example made a daily difference in the life of her family. She was eager to speak of her grandchildren: Kelsey, who “has great communication skills and personality traits for her chosen profession;” Burns, who “is steadfast and pleasant in his endeavors;” Carlyle, “who has a sweet, gentle spirit;” and Teddy, “who is friendly, congenial, and always completes tasks.”

Mrs. Burns will be most remembered for her sweetness, kindness towards others, and constant smile. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to all those who shared their lives with her and thus enriched her life. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Brookhaven.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Lucius and Ethel, and her sister, Matilda Elizabeth Somers Herrmann.

Survivors are her husband of more than 69 years, Franklin T. Burns; son, Franklin T. “Ted” Burns Jr.; daughter, Rebecca Jill Burns Logan and husband, Robert L. “Bob” Logan; four grandchildren, Kelsey Logan, Burns Logan, Carlye Scott and Teddy Burns; and seven great-grandchildren, Jack Logan, Mike Logan, Claire Logan, Pete Logan, Jane Logan, Franklin Logan and Henry Logan.

If you would like to leave a word of sympathy to the Burns family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com.