Berman Dalton Burns, 88, a cherished Simpson, Louisiana resident and a pillar of our community, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.
Berman’s visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at Simpson Baptist Church, located at 4790 Hwy 8 Simpson, LA 71474. The funeral service will be on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Simpson Baptist Church, and Interment will follow at Pine Island Cemetery in Simpson, Louisiana.
B.D. Burns, a man of remarkable resilience and resourcefulness, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on February 15, 1936. He was raised in Simpson, Louisiana, and graduated from Simpson High School in 1953. At the tender age of 14, following his father’s passing, he took on the responsibility of the household, farming, and caring for his mother for the rest of her life.
Upon graduation, he attended Alexandria Business College and began working as an accountant for General Motors at Hayes Buick in Leesville, Louisiana. He spotted his future bride working as a waitress across the street at Nell’s Café.
Berman joined the Army National Guard, was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and remained a reservist for seven years. At this time, he donned his white sportscoat and drove his big shiny car down that dusty Silver Creek Road to claim his bride of almost 64 years, Janice West.
Mr. and Mrs. Burns relocated to Orange, Texas, where they began their family. He worked at Dupont Chemical for 36 years. Berman’s early life was spent at Simpson Baptist Church, and they became lifelong members of Calvary Baptist Church in Orange, Texas. The Burns’ always maintained farmland in Kurthwood and the old homestead on Welcome Cemetery Road in Simpson, Louisiana; he retired and spent the remaining years working the land, tending cattle, bailing hay, and working on equipment. Berman Burns had an amazingly analytical mind and could understand any mechanical device and know exactly how it worked and how to repair or improve it. He could devise, design, and create one if he needed a tool that didn’t exist.
Saying he was a family man is an understatement. Every move he made or thing he did was geared toward the future and his family. Anyone who knew Berman Burns would say he was the hardest working man they knew, often coming to the aid of anyone who needed it. His goal was to provide the best life for his wife, sons, and those he cared about.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Burns; son, Berman Dale Burns and wife, Priscella, of Orange, Texas; son, Thomas William Burns and Kelcey Williams of New Orleans, Louisiana; grandchildren Logan Burns and wife Brianna, Noah Burns, and Ella Burns; Sister Doris Brown of Austin, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat Pearl.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Oscar and Effie Leola Jackson Burns; brothers John William, James Ross, and Thomas Ralph Burns; and sisters Rhoda Gill and Addis Reed.
Pallbearers: Logan Burns, Noah Burns, Ella Burns, Trevor Roe, James Blackwell, Kenneth Jackson, Bill West and Mike Shugart
Honorary Pallbearers: Charlie Bodie, Wesley Bodie, Travis Bolton, and Greg Stanford.
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