CHARLES ARMOUR BURFORD 1/27/51 – 10/25/22
CHARLES ARMOUR BURFORD 1/27/51 – 10/25/22 Charles Armour Burford was born on January 27, 1951, to Virginia Armour Burford and John Franklin “Frank” Burford. He went to be with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the age of 71. Visitation was held Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA. The funeral service was held Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Gloster Baptist Church in Gloster, Louisiana with burial at the Keachi Cemetery. The service was officiated by Dr. Ron McLellan assisted by Rev. Crawford Williams.
Charles grew up in Mansfield, Louisiana. He moved to Gloster, LA to live with his dad when he was 17. Charles graduated from Stonewall High School in May 1969. On November 1, 1969, Charles and Jackie Lynn Williamson were married at the First Southern Methodist Church in Stonewall, LA. They started their family in Gloster, LA for nine years before moving to Keachi. Charles built his dairy, Shady Pines Dairy Farm in 1976 in Keachi on property that had been in the Armour family for three generations. Their sons grew up on the farm and helped with farm chores starting at an early age. Charles operated the dairy farm until 2009 and then raised beef cattle.
Charles was always very active in his community. He served on the Keachi Town Council, Keachi-Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department, DeSoto Parish Farm Bureau Board, ASCS Committee, Louisiana Animal Breeders Board, and was named Young Farmer and Rancher for DeSoto Parish in 1978. Charles was elected Justice of the Peace for District 1-A in DeSoto Parish and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. Charles was a wise businessman; he knew and taught his sons that during the good years in business you save money for those years that are not going to be so prosperous. Charles was a member of Gloster Baptist Church for over forty years where he served on different committees and was a Trustee.
Charles loved his family and wanted to make sure that his sons and grandchildren were successful in whatever path they chose. He was willing to help them any way he could.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, John Green Burford, Sr. and Effie Hall Burford and Minnie Hall Burford, Charles Worley Armour and Fannie Elizabeth Paxton Armour; his half-sister, Susan Burford-Silva; sisterin- law, Cheryl Williamson Garrett; and father-in-law, William Neal Williamson, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jackie Lynn Williamson Burford; sons, Charles Christopher “Chris” Burford and wife, Heather Burchett Burford of Mathews, VA, William “Chad” Burford, and wife, Amy McCune-Burford of Keachi; grandchildren whom he adored, Chloe Elizabeth Burford, Brittney Abigail Burford, Kristian Michael Burford, Emily Camille Burford, Caleb Charles Burford, and his little caboose, William Lucas “Luke” Burford. He is also survived by motherin- law, Bernice Williamson, brothersin law, Bill Williamson, Tommy Williamson and wife, Beverly; sisters-in-law, Millicent Williamson Whittington and husband, John Michael Whittington, Debbie Williamson Burford and husband, John Franklin “Jay” Burford, who is also his half-brother; halfbrother, Steven Burford; half-sisters, Caroline Burford Woodward and husband, Jerry and Beverly Burford McConn and husband, Andy; Quinton Perkins, who cares for our farm like it is his own and was available any hour of the day or night to come and help with Charles or just be here for us; special cousin, Dave Means and wife, Liz, who walked with us through Charles’ illness; many nieces and nephews and many, many dear friends and extended family.
Honoring Charles as pallbearers were grandsons, Kristian Burford and Caleb Burford, Quinton Perkins, Clinton Sharpley, Daleon Walraven, Mark Burford, Brandon McFadden and Jose Avila. Honorary pallbearers were grandson, William Lucas “Luke” Burford, Hall Burford, Wayne Williams, David B. Means III, Richie Burford, Charlie Roberts, Travis Whitfield and Dudley Glenn.
The family would like to thank Dr. Megan Harris, Dr. Scott Patton, and Dr. Ray Smith for their compassionate care during Charles’ illness and his sitters, Hope Cockerham, Amanda Reed and Paula Pouncy. They helped to make it possible to have him at home with his family. Thank you to all the family and friends who came to visit him during his illness. It meant so much to us.
We ask that any memorial contributions be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 4196, Monroe, LA 71211 or Holy Angels, 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.
