Johnnie Alvin Burns Jr. was born on August 12, 1950 in Ripley, Tennessee to the late Johnnie Alvin Burns Sr. and Lucile Burns.

He was baptized at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Ripley, Tennessee at an early age. He graduated from Lauderdale High School in 1969.

Johnnie loved to sit at the table and joke with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Forty five years of memories will be always cherished by his loving wife Avery Ann Burns.  He leaves as his legacy six children: Eric Anderson Sr., Johnnie Alvin Burns III, Vernall Burns, Myron Burns Sr., LaShuna Burns and Jontrell Burns and one step-daughter Darlene Cross.  In addition, he leaves to honor his memory twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother, Arthur Lee Burns, one sister, Gloria Jean Taylor, two uncles, Jackson Lackey and Dan Lackey (Virginia) and two aunts, Joan Smith, Myrtle Burns along with a host of nephews, nieces and other family relatives and friends.