Emerson T. Burns, Sr. made his transition on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 5:45 PM at Bolivar Medical Center. Born June 1, 1937, he was the 12th of fifteen children born to James Lee and Emma Lee Hunter Burns. Emerson was born in the rich Delta region of Sunflower County Mississippi near what was then known as Frank Jones. As a child he lived with his Aunt Albertine and Uncle Robert in Chicago. Emerson received his formal education at the Medill School on Chicago's west side and Mound Bayou High School, where in 2004 he celebrated his fiftieth. As a young man he began working with the Dryden Rubber Company. Shortly thereafter he met and married another native Mississippian, Hazel Ruth. Their union on October 4, 1958, produced a rich lineage of nine children. Emerson, being ambitious and a quick learner began new employment with the Chicago Stockyards and eventually became a certified USDA meat inspector. This certification enabled him to gain new employment and the opportunity to commute to Detroit, MI. Upon securing a coveted position with the City of Chicago, Emerson returned to Illinois. Although he loved Chicago, he knew the cold winters and the changing landscape of the inner city was not the best place to rear children. Believing that the clean living and milder climates for the south would prove fruitful for his children, Emerson made the bold decision during the spring of 1972 to relocate back to Mound Bayou. Emerson and his family joined White Zion M.B. Church where he served as Sunday School teacher. He found gainful work with Douglas and Lomason Company and remained there through the late eighties until his health began to decline. Emerson enjoyed watching television especially old westerns, boxing and Chicago news programs. He also had a love for all genres of music. However, gospel music and the harmonization of gospel quartets were his favorites. He enjoyed the sounds of the The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Swanee Quintet and the group in which he sang baritone, The Rising Kings. Whether you knew him as "Chief", "Pops", "Diddy", or "Unc" he was a no nonsense person. He was also fun-loving and entertaining. Those close to him could always count on him to keep things lively with his razor sharp humor. His many stories, jokes and his witty humor will never be forgotten.