Earl Lee Burns Jr.

Earl Lee Burns, Jr. 93, of Stephenville, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at a local nursing home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Stephenville Funeral Home with Rev. Laraine Waughtal of Morgan Mill Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Morgan Mill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Earl was born on February 9, 1918 in Graham, Texas to the late Earl Lee Burns, Sr. and Rena Ragland Burns. Although Earl lived in Morgan Mill during most of his childhood, he graduated from Graham High School. He married Verbie Hazel Wood on October 22, 1939 in Huckabay. For several years, Earl was the ranch foreman for the Piper Ranch near Morgan Mill. In 1968, Earl and Verbie moved to Center, where he worked for his brother, George for 17 years. They returned to Morgan Mill in 1985, where Earl took care of several area cemeteries. At age 88, Earl retired. Earl was an active member of the Morgan Mill Methodist Church and the Morgan Mill Senior Citizens. He was dearly loved and will be missed. Earl is survived by his wife of 71 years, Verbie Burns of Morgan Mill; son, Eddie Burns of Dublin; daughter and husband, Sarah and Owen Rasberry of Morgan Mill; daughter and husband, Mary and Joe Harrison of Mingus; brother and wife, George and Geneva Burns of Center; sister-in-law, Oneta Burns of Lewisville; grandchildren, Mike and Elena Burns, Rick and Ann Burns, Brad Burns, Sherrye and Randy Mills, Landon and Sandra Stallings, Senisa and Jamie Roper, Trent and Michelle Harrison; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Joy Burns; brother, Robert Burns. Memorials may be made to the Morgan Mill Methodist Church, Morgan Mill Senior Citizens, or the charity of your choice.