Virgue Burns

Who is Virgue Lee Burns, Jr.?

I hope that you find the content of my life reflection to be informative, encouraging and enlightening.  

This one-of-a-kind memoir of the life and legacy of Mr. Virgue Lee Burns, Jr. is dedicated to my loving, devoted wife, my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, that I love and will miss dearly. 

My story began in Mound Bayou, Mississippi on November 8, 1955, when I blessed the union of Mr. Virgue Lee Burns, Sr., and Rosie Lee McGinnis-Burns.  United, they had six children: Wilbert, Virgue, Mikeley, Lloyd, Greg, and Sonya. 

My siblings, I have five of them, they are all unique and special in their own way.  Each of them was dear to my heart. 

The family later migrated North to Chicago, Illinois where I attended Oakenwald Elementary School and obtained my High School Diploma at Blackhawk University. 

I met and married the love of my life, Lillian P. Holder-Burns on May 31, 1991. Together we raised seven children: Alexander Clair, Virgue Clair, Virgue Orr, Jeanetta Holder-Comer, Dwan Holder, Chinique Clair and Erika Burns. Our children are our lifelines, and they continued to bring us happiness. I enjoyed having them over, just hanging out, laughing, singing, dancing, and having a great time. They brought me so much joy, even in my last days. I trust that they will stick together and support each other and my Lillie B., in my absence. 

I confessed my hope in Christ and was baptized at Pleasant Gift Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois during my younger years and later joined Zion Faith Center in South Holland under the leadership of Dr. Pastor Larry E. Sartin.  Pastor Sartin was more than just my pastor; he was my friend. He was always there to comfort and support me, whenever I called upon him. 

My life was full, and I received an abundance of love from my family and friends. My greatest accomplishment came from supporting my family. I held several jobs throughout my life, but my main source of employment was as an entrepreneur carpenter, janitor at St. Edmonds and an asbestos remover at Champion. 

Other than spending time with my family, I loved shooting pool every chance I was able. The first thing I asked when traveling was “where’s the poolhall?” I also enjoyed music, playing the bass guitar, piano and singing. I especially enjoyed serenading my wife with Luther Vandross songs. 

My other love was spending time with my twenty-fourgrandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. It is often said that “Mother knows best!” but Granddad is always right! They loved coming over and singing, hanging outside, teaching me the latest Tik-Tok dances and cracking jokes. There was not anything that I would not do for them. 

On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 1:50 a.m., I was called home to fellowship with my family and friends that preceded me in passing. I am at peace knowing that I was cared for at home in my last days, with my loving wife, Lillie B., children, and grandchildren by my side.

To cherish my memories of this Earthly world, I leave my lovely, devoted wife, who was my rock for 35 years, Lillian Patrice Burns; my children: Jeanetta (Gerald) Holder-Comer, Dwan Holder, Chinique Clair and Erika Burns, all of Chicago, Illinois; sister: Sonya Burns of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brothers: Wilbert McGinnis ofLas Vegas, Nevada, Mikeley Burns of Chicago, Illinois, Gregory Burns of Rock Island, Illinois; sister-in-law: Sandra Burns of Chicago, Illinois; aunts: Laura Coopers of St. Louis, Missouri, Lillie Shelton of Chicago, Illinois, Carrie (Jerry) Cole of Grand Prairie, Texas; uncles: Leon Cooks, Roosevelt Cooks, Dennis Cooks, Robert King and Emitt Kelly, all of Chicago, Illinois; 24 grandchildren and 14 great , one special god-son, Ioannis Marinopoulos of Orland Park, Illinois; 

I was preceded in death by both parents, Virgue Sr. and Rosie Lee(Deacon Percy) Buckner; sons, Alexander Clair, Virgue Clair and Virgue Orr; brother, Lloyd Burns; aunt, Ruth Kelly; uncles: Eddie Cooks, and Wendell Cooks; one great grandchild and a host of very good friends that I have met throughout life.

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