Reverend Doctor Thomas E. Burns was born in Leflore, Mississippi on a stormy Friday, March 31, 1922. He was the fifth child of the late Superintendent Eddie Burns and Mrs. Rena Bowles Burns. He was educated in Mississippi, and received his spiritual guidance under his parent’s tutelage.
In 1936, his parents thought it was beneficial to move the family to New York. In route to New York, Dr. Burns attended his first Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee. As a young man, Reverend Burns was honorably discharged after serving his country for three years in the United States Army during World War II.
In 1946, he married the love of his life, the late Mother Wilhelmina James Burns. To this union they were blessed with a beautiful little girl named Esther Renee Burns, they completed their family unit by adopting their son, James Arthur Means Burns.
Dr. Burns was in ministry for 63 years. In 1954, he was ordained an Elder by the late Bishop O.M. Kelly prelate of the Eastern New York Jurisdiction. Because of the calling upon his life in the summer of that same year, Dr. Burns erected a tent on Harbor Road in Port Washington New York and conducted Holy Ghost revivals. Many souls were won to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the fall of 1955, the church occupied its first home in a vacant store front in Bayside, New York on Northern Boulevard, which he named the Bayside C.O.G.I.C For the next six years the church continued growing. Unexpectedly, on Christmas Eve of 1961, a fire broke out and demolished the building. Faced with no other place to worship, Brother Willie and Sister Vanilla Jackson (members of the church) opened their home as a temporary meeting place for worship services.
In 1962, the Lord led Dr. Burns to a building for sale at 163-17 Brinkerhoff Avenue in Jamaica, New York. While still pastoring the Brinkerhoff church location, Dr. Burns acquired property in Bayside, New York on 45th Road where he established a second site. This house of worship was built from the ground up. This worship location was called the Bayside C.O.G.I.C., II. As both memberships grew, Dr. Burns realized the need for a larger more central place of worship.
In 1966, while maintaining the two original locations, the present church building was obtained and originally dedicated as the Bayside C.O.G.I.C. Many years later, this same building would be rededicated by Dr. Thomas E. Burns and renamed the Burns Memorial Church of God in Christ in honor of his father, the late Superintendent Eddie Burns.
Dr. Thomas E. Burns being a great visionary, was acclaimed for his many good and wonderful achievements that blessed the body of Christ under his pastorate and community leadership. Some of his accomplishments were, The Jamaica Extension of the O.M. Kelly Bible Institute, a Woman’s Rescue Home, Prison Ministry, a Queens Chapter for the Boys Scout of America, a Food and Clothing Distribution Program along with a Soup Kitchen, a summer Vacation Bible School, and a local registration location for the Fresh Air Fund of New York.
Because of Dr. Thomas Burns’ care and vigilance there are many local adults in the community who have memories of safe, fun filled summers growing up. He continued to lead many souls to Christ during the deliverance street services and baptismals that were held for many years. He truly loved serving the Church of God in Christ while pastoring his own congregation.
Dr. Burns attended the Bethel Bible Institute in Jamaica, New York and continued his Christian education by earning a doctorate degree from the United Christian College of New York.

Dr. Burns faithfully assisted Superintendent Eddie Burns in the Middlesex District C.O.G.I.C. for twenty-two years, and served as the first president of the O.M. Kelly Religious Training Institute under the leadership of the late Bishop O.M. Kelly of the Eastern New York Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C.

Dr. Burns also served as an administrative assistant under the late Bishop F.D. Washington of the Eastern New York Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C. Dr. Burns had additionally served the late Bishop Ithiel Clemmons, prelate of the Eastern New York 1st. Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C., as an executive board member for the jurisdiction’s financial committee. At his transition, Dr. Burns was serving as an Administrative Assistant at “Large,” under the leadership of the present Eastern New York 1st. Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop James H. Gaylord.

Dr. Burns was licensed by the New York State Real Estate Board, and had over thirty years of experience in the purchase, sale and management of residential and commercial property holdings. Dr. Burns was featured in the 2009 and 2010 edition of “Who’s Who” book for his professional endeavors and accomplishments. He also became the recipient of countless New York City proclamations, local citations and civic service awards.
In 1996 Dr. Burns met and married Mrs. Velma Barnes Burns.
We are grateful to God for allowing us 95 extraordinary years with this visionary, gospel preacher, builder, community advocate, spiritual father to many and an inspiration to all. Early Thursday morning on June 8th 2017, an angel of the Lord escorted Dr. Burns home to glory.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Mrs. Velma Burns, his daughter, Evangelist Esther R. Pullings, son-in-law, Superintendent James Pullings, Jr., adopted son, Mr. James Arthur Means Burns, three sisters, Mrs. Virginia Guillebeaux, Mrs. Evelyn Burns, and Mrs. Sadie John. Five grandchildren, Elder Tyshinia Wright and husband Eugene, Pastor Jeffrey Burns and wife Nicole, Mr. Carlton Brown and wife Carla, Bishop Orrin Pullings and wife Medina, Pastor Randy Pullings and wife Kimberly. Also eighteen great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the devoted church family of the Burns Memorial C.O.G.I.C., and many friends.
Humbly Submitted:
The Family

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