OBITUARIES

A Time to Be Born:

Deacon Clinton ‘Sam’ Burns was born the 3rd child of 4 on April 27,1941 to the late Robert Burns, Sr. and Mattie Elister Melvin Burns in Hope Mills (Cumberland County), North Carolina. Deacon Burns entered his eternal resting place after an extended illness on the morning of Friday, May 17, 2024 at Montefiore Hospital in New Rochelle NY.

He grew up in a Christian home on a small farm located in the Baptist Union. He attended the public schools in the area and was a 1959 graduate of Anne Chestnutt High School in Fayetteville, NC.

A Time for Every Purpose Under the Heaven:

After graduating high school, Deacon Burns moved to Newburgh, New York in September of the same year. It was here that Deacon Burns would eventually meet the Love of his life, the former Eva Dell Brown who was from Sampson County, NC. They were united in Holy Matrimony in June of 1963 by the late Rev. William D. Burton, former Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. To this union, 3 children were born. Algie Burns, Clinton Burns and Darrell Burns.

Having confessed Christ at an early age, Deacon Burns grew up as a member of the Baptist Union Missionary Baptist Church, in Hope Mills, NC. It was here that he became a faithful Sunday School student. After moving to Newburgh, Deacon Burns became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in the early 1960’s. As Clinton’s spiritual life continued to mature, he served in various capacities of Ministry. He served as a member of both the Usher Board as well as the Trustee Board. He also served at one time as the Assistant Superintendent and eventually the Superintendent of Sunday School, as the President of the Male Chorus and a member of the Tape Ministry. He was ordained as a Deacon at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 9, 1975 under the leadership of Rev. Saul Williams. He would then go on to attend and complete a course in Systemic Theology at the Newburgh Bible Institute, an affiliate of Christ Theological Seminary, in June of 1976.

Deacon Burns was always a hard and dedicated worker. After first arriving in Newburgh, he found work at Dubette Handbag Company where he was employed from September 1959 until August of 1964. He then began working at Fryetech in New Windsor, New York where he was employed for over 35 years. His most recent and final position was with the Newburgh School District where he worked for 15+ years, only retiring due to his health in February of 2024.

|God continued to be good to Deacon Burns. Throughout his life, Deacon Burns developed, governed himself and maintained the motto of: Just one life will soon be past… Only what’s done for Christ Will last.

A Time to Die:

Deacon Burns leaves to mourn his loss and cherish his memories: his children, Algie Silver (Dwight) of Rocky Mount, NC, Clinton Burns, Jr (Charmaine) of Covington, GA, and Darrell Burns of the home. (10)
Grandchildren - Adreana Barnes (Ash), Dwight Silver Jr, Dedrick Silver (LaJasmine), Daveeka Burns, Shardina Burns, Clinton Burns, III, Tiana Burns, Damani Burns, Damien Burns and Anthony Walker.
Additionally, he is survived by one sister, Rutell Williams, two Brothers, Robert Burns, Jr and Willie Burns, 3 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives as well as his church family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Eva Dell Burns, his father Robert Burns, Sr. and his mother Mattie Elister Melvin Burns.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven”

Ecclesiastes 3:1