From the Northwest Alabamian, 1965
Submitted by Joann Holdbrooks

Double Springs-------One of Winston County's pioneer citizens, Mrs. Nelsie Thomas Burns 74 of Double Springs passed away in a Haleyville hospital Monday morning. She had been in ill health for two years and seriously ill for the past few weeks, with cancer.

Mrs. Burns was the wife of Rev. Jerry M. Burns, renowned Baptist minister who has preached throughout this region for more than half a century. They had been wed more than 50 years, and except for four years residence in Tennessee had made their home in Winston County.

The minister was once a Representative from Winston County and served one term as Superintendent of Education.

Rev. Burns, a pastor at one time or another at most county Baptist churches now preaches at various places. He is also renowned as a historian, and over the years has gathered great quantities of historical data on the "Free State of Winston."

Funeral services will be held today at 2 o'clock from the Antioch Baptist Church, with Rev, I. L. Ford officiating. Nichols Funeral Home will direct internment in adjoining cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the church from 12 noon until 2 P. M.

Survivors, besides the husband includes two sons, Will Burns who works in Louisiana but whose home is in Haleyville, H. Burns of Gulfport, Miss.: two brothers, Willie Thomas and Veto Thomas, both of near Double Springs, three grandchildren.