Charles Claude Burns

Charles Claude Burns, age 81, of Santa Fe, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at St. Thomas Hospital in Centerville, Tennessee.


Charles was born on September 26, 1935 in Maury County, Tennessee to Walter Claude and Janie Elizabeth Atkinson Burns. He served honorably in the U. S. Army and was of the Baptist faith. He married his wife, Ruby Marvene Spears Burns in 1961 and they had two children together. They were married for thirty-six years until her passing on August 23, 1997. Charlies’ children, grandson, and son-in-law remember him being a wonderful father, grandfather, best friend, and great father-in-law. He was a kind person and never met a stranger, because he was a true “people person”.


He was a hard working man, having been a self-employed logger. Another of his past-times was celebrating “the mule.” Mule Days were especially important to him, as each year he enjoyed the parade and mule pulling events. Charlie’s favorite pastime was riding on his wagon behind his beloved pair of mules, Red and Rock. He also enjoyed coon hunting with his coon dogs. He had a special place in his heart for animals, whether it was buying, selling, or caring for them.


Cherishing Charlie’s memory are his children: Carol June (Lonnie Compton) Slaughter; and Charles Len Burns, both of Santa Fe; grandson: James Cody (Jennifer Shouse) Slaughter of Primm Springs; close friends: Phillip Tidwell and Pat Cliston, The Groups at Fly Store, Theta Store, Potts Grocery and Santa Fe Diner. He was preceded in death by his parents: Walter Claude and Janie Elizabeth Atkinson Burns; wife: Ruby Marvene Spears Burns; brother: Bernard Elmer Burns; and sister: Thelma Dial.


Funeral services to celebrate Charlie’s life will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. Burial will follow in Adkison Cemetery in Santa Fe. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. also at Williams Funeral Home.


Andy Dial, Dean Dial, Bernard Burns, Phillip Tidwell, Duck Hassell, Kenneth Webb, Danny Alderson, and Joey Shouse and will serve as pallbearers.


The family would like to thank the staff at Life Care Center in Centerville, Tennessee for the loving care. A special thank you also goes out to Dr. Farmer and to the staff of St. Thomas Hospital in Centerville, Tennessee.


Williams funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.williamsfh.com .