Linda Gaynell Burns

Linda Gaynell (Lewis) Burns transitioned on April 18, 2025, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born on January 6th, 1957, to Leon Lewis and Mary Strickland Lewis. Linda grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, attended KCK public schools, and was a member of the 1975 graduating class of Sumner High School. After high school, she earned a certificate to become a nursing assistant. She was employed by Medical Lodge North, where she enjoyed assisting the residents with daily needs. Linda accepted Christ as her savior at an early age at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. H.W. Bowen. She was an active member of the church as a member of the choir, the missionary department, Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday School.

     On June 1st, 1975, Linda married her high school sweetheart Willie James Burns. To this union, three lovely children were born. Linda enjoyed travelling with her children to various states in the country. She briefly lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and Endicott, New York. Upon her return to Kansas City, Linda settled into life with her new-found friends and old acquaintances. She continued a life-long love of reading, writing, working on various types of puzzles, and watching old movies. She later became a patron of “The Boat” and a HUGE fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.

       Linda is preceded in death by both maternal grandparents, Roosevelt and Mable Strickland; her mother, Mary Strickland Collins; her sister, Cynthia Lewis; and her great-grandson, Zaire Harris.

     She leaves to learn from and cherish her memory, three children---her son, Willie James Burns Jr.; her daughters, Melinda Anastasia Burns and Sarah Louise Burns; her five grandchildren, Tania Bolton, DeMarcus Burns, Sariah Dawson, Roosevelt Burns, and Maliyah Burns; her three great-grandchildren, Terrance Harris, Melanie Harris, and Micah Burns; and her siblings, Leon K. Lewis (Carol) of Dover, Delaware, Brenda P. Cherry (Lloyd Brown) of Fredericksburg, Virgina, Mark P. Cherry (Thalia) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Lorrell Triplett (Luvetta) of Olathe, Kansas. Linda also leaves behind her ex-husband and good friend, Willie Burns Sr., her special friend, Willie Dirks, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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