Mrs. Joan Booker Burns, 81, passed away December 11th in Centre, Alabama following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Sunday, December 14th at Centre First Baptist Church with Dr. Eddie Nation officiating. Burial will follow in Cherokee Memory Garden. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3 P.M. Sunday at the church.

Mrs. Burns was born in Rome, Georgia to Claude and Jessie May Booker on October 28, 1933. She graduated from Shorter College earning a degree in English, with a minor in Religion. Her interests included reading, bible study, playing bridge, serving in the Twilight Club, traveling, shopping, decorating, Auburn football and spending time with her family and friends. She was known to most as Mama Doc, a name established by her first grandchild that became the name most everyone called her. She was lovingly referred to as Miss Joanie by her husband, Dr. James H. Burns, who preceded her in death after 46 years of marriage.

Mrs. Burns is survived by her brother Claude (Judy) Booker of Sea Island, Ga., sister in law Charlotte (Milton) Thompson of Spartanburg, S.C. and children Lisa Burns Henderson of Gadsden, Kathy Burns Lindsey of Centre, Jamie (Melinda) Burns of Birmingham, and chosen daughter Becky Cleveland Pritchett (Mickey) of Oxford. Grandchildren surviving are J.D. (Laura) Henderson, Perry (Josh) Marshall, Knox (Steevie) Lindsey, Jessie Lindsey, Bailey Burns, Tripp Burns, Wes (Emily) Pritchett and Drew Pritchett. Great grandchildren surviving are Maverick Marshall, Ashlynn Lindsey, and Aiden and Cohen Pritchett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Centre First Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Vipul Amin, Dr. Lowndes Harrison and the staff of Gadsden Regional Cancer Center, Dr. Elquis Castillo and staff, the staff of Cherokee Medical Center, and Southern Care Hospice for their care and support during Mrs. Burns’ illness.

Perry Funeral Home directing.