Jeffery "J-Lee" Burns

A much-loved son, father, and brother Jeffery Damon Burns, 37 of Smackover, AR, passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2025, with his family present.

He had bravely confronted and fought heart disease. He was born on May 22, 1988, in El Dorado, AR, to Shenondoah and Tonya Burns. Jeffery graduated from Norphlet High School in 2006. He was a proud Norphlet Leopard football player and friend to so many classmates. He was employed by Martin Lubricants in Smackover, AR, as a blender until his health began to fail.

Jeffery was preceded in death by his grandmothers Willie Johnson and Jeanette Lee. His grandfathers JT Burns and James Lee, Jr. all welcomed him home on June 30, 2025.

He is survived by his parents, Shenondoah and Tonya Burns of Smackover, AR, his daughters Mikaylee Burns of Lawson, AR, Rosslee Burns and Jaylee Burns of Smackover, AR, his brothers Ashanti Burns of Oakland, CA, Jordan Burns of Merrillville, IN, and Justin Burns of Smackover, AR. His Aunts Shuton (Andrew) Davidson of El Dorado, AR, Latosha Rotimi of Balch Springs, TX, Johnnie Johnson and Willie Ruth Graham of Smackover, AR, Earlene Burns and Dorothy Burns of El Dorado, AR. His best friends and caregivers Karen (Joseph) Andrews of Lawson, AR, and Corbin Frazier of Smackover, AR, and a host of cousins and friends. "Jeffery fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race!"

A special thanks to the Arkansas Hospice nurses and team for their devoted care and support.