Burnis A. (Brown) Holmes

Life's Reflection

Burnis A. Brown Holmes was born to Albert and Jessie Brown on February 13, 1925, in Hayden, Oklahoma.   She was the youngest child and only daughter.  Her parents and older brothers (Albert, Howard, Glenn, and Harvey) doted on her.

In September 1965, Burnis united in holy matrimony with Leon Holmes.  This union stood the test of time until Leon’s death in 2008.  She joined Eighth Street Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS, where they maintained membership until they relocated to New York in the late 1990s.  She later united with Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Ekron, Kentucky.

Burnis was educated in Lenapah and Nowata, OK after relocating to Kansas, Burnis pursued a career with the federal government and worked for several different agencies.  Upon her retirement, she started a new career at Wyandotte County District Court-Juvenile Department until her second retirement. 

“If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain” appeared to be the motto Burnis lived by.  She cheerfully helped many family members and friends.  For many years, Burnis was a proud and dedicated member of Club Chazzalite.  Her membership to this social and civic minded club for women in the KC Metro area further validates her willingness to help others.

Burnis departed this life on Saturday, February 26,2022, in Elizabethtown, KY with family members by her side.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brothers.

She leaves to mourn her passing two sisters in law: Mildred Brown of Ekron, KY; and Hazel Holmes of KCKS; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

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