Gwendlene Victory (Naylor) Burns

On April 24, 2025, Gwendlene Victory Burns, age 96, passed away peacefully at her daughter Debbie’s home in Fayetteville. Gwen was born on September 13, 1928, in Sampson County, North Carolina to Roxie Spell Naylor and Eddie Clarence Naylor. She was preceded in death by her husband and by her five siblings.

Gwen was swept off her feet by the handsome Army Sergeant Julius John Burns, and they were married at Phenix City, Alabama in May,1948. During their fifty-five years together, the Army sent the family across the world, and they experienced places like Paris and Germany. In tow were their four children, Johnny Burns (Cheryl), Debbie Graham (Pat), Karen Johnson (Scott), and Gary Burns (Susie). An Army wife at times finds herself with the challenge of independently caring for the family during deployments. Gwen’s ability to keep four youngsters corralled and growing was awe-inspiring. Not only caring for the day-to-day, she used her talents as a seamstress to make many of the children’s clothes. Later that talent was shared in the alterations department of Belk Department Store. In what little spare time she had, she loved creating delicate ceramic pieces. Well into her 90s, Gwen tended her garden and took pride in the lovely landscape she maintained.

Gwen was an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and lived a true devout Christian life of kindness and generosity. Because of her example and devotion, her children remain extremely close even in adulthood. This extends to – from A to Z – her nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. We cherish the time we had with her and will remember her spirited sharp wit while her love will continue to bind, inspire, and uplift us.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gwen’s name may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607

A funeral service will be held Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2 P.M. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 1:50 P.M. at the funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11 A.M. at Cumberland Memorial Gardens. 

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

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