Sue Taylor Burns

Sue Taylor Burns passed away on July 24, 2024, at the age of 88 years old.

Sue's father, Colonel Glenn Taylor, was an Army Officer and a Southwestern Virginia native, and her mother, Molly Taylor, was from Lexington, VA. She also had 3 younger brothers which she worked hard to set a good example. The Army life meant that Sue moved around a lot, even graduating high school in Japan. Maybe it was the constant moving that helped her befriend nearly everyone she met during her life. Sue was known for her charm, as well as her beauty, throughout her youth. 

Upon returning to the USA from Japan, Sue was sent to William and Mary College. There, she was coerced into joining a sorority, that she eventually quit. Her family fondly recounts that she would go to the socials, mingle for 15 minutes, then go to the bathroom where she would sneak out the window, and go back to her room. She was also a talented athlete, competing at the College of William and Mary in Synchronized Swimming. Yet, it was at a Catholic Newman Club dance at William and Mary that her life was changed forever. 

During the dance, she met an Army Pilot and Officer from Ohio named Joseph Burns. He came in and their eyes met across the dance floor. Sue didn’t want to marry anyone in the military because she wanted a more stable life. Joe left for months of training, but Sue called him and shared that she couldn’t forget about him. Inevitably, they were engaged soon after, and married in 1957. Sue continued to collect lifelong friends throughout her travels at all the homes and stations she lived during her delightful 51 years of marriage. 

Sue was involved in many activities including the Red Cross, Officers Wives Club, a Bowling League, a Charismatic Renewal group, a Lector, RCIA, and a Catholic Lay Eucharist Minister. An inveterate green thumb with a veritable jungle in her homes, she also quilted, cross stitched, knitted, painted, and sewed. Sue kept in touch with all her friends all over the world, while always making more. Her mind was always curious and willing to try new things: always learning and growing. 

Tragically, she lost Joe to a stroke in 2008. Then, unfortunately the last 10 years were clouded by the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Not only were her memories stolen, so too was the knowledge and comfort of all those relationships that she had built through many years. Despite this, she still continued to make friends in her Memory Care Facility. 

Above all of these accolades for Sue, her greatest is the strength of her Catholic Faith and her deep love for God. We are heartened to know that she is now in heaven singing praises and worshipping Him, where disease cannot hurt her, and she is dancing for joy with Joe, in the presence of their Lord Jesus Christ.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn Taylor and Molly Taylor, along with her brother, Glenn Taylor, Jr. Sue’s brother Thomas Taylor also preceded her in death. Sue is survived by her brother, Porter Taylor. Sue is also survived by her children: Deborah & Dustin Frazier and their 12 children, Joseph and Cindy Burns and their four children, Tony and Jamie Burns and their three children, Jim Burns and his five children from his former wife Cheryl, Mary and Jim Wassenaar and their two children, as well as the blessings of her great grandchildren, and all the people she touched and loved during her beautiful life.

Visitation with the family will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Christ The King Catholic Church.  A Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 11:00 a.m.  Mrs. Burns will be interred beside her late husband in Florida National Veterans Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.  The interment service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.  The family of Sue Taylor Burns is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.

Swilley Funeral Home, 1602 Waters Ave., Tampa, FL, (813) 932-6157, will assist the family with the services held in Florida.