Mary "Jean" Burns

Mary "Jean" Burns, 79, of Morganton, NC died Friday, December 3, 2010 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC following a period of declining health. Born in Lincoln County, NC on May 20, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Fate Morgan Loftin, Sr. and Nellie B. Ewing Loftin. Jean retired from Breeden’s Poultry.She is survived by her son, Wayne Burns and wife, Susie, of Morganton; a daughter, Nancy Burns Connelly of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Kelly Burns, Colt Chester, Benjamin Connelly Jr., Emily Connelly, and Michelle Connelly; and brothers, Walter "Buster’ Loftin, Fate Morgan Loftin, Jr., Jerry "Dub" Loftin, and Terry Loftin, all of Lincolnton, Tony Loftin of Denver, NC, and Herbert Loftin of Huntersville, NC.In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Sanford Edward Burns; a daughter, Diane Willis; a sister, Evelyn Loftin; and a son-in-law, Ben Connelly.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 8, 2010 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Francis King officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park.