Shirley Christenbury Burns

Shirley Christenbury Burns, 91, of Birmingham, Alabama and Lilburn, Georgia, passed away on June 7, 2025, in The Villages, Florida.

Burial / Inurnment services will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery- Jefferson County, Alabama. The service will be private for family members only.

Shirley Burns was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Lloyd Reid Christenbury and Ruby Barnard Christenbury on March 15, 1934. She went to school at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She married James (Jim) Carl Burns on August 8,1953 in Birmingham, Alabama. They lived in Birmingham for many years then moved to the Atlanta Area in 1966 and finally to Lilburn, Georgia in 1976. While in Georgia she worked as a Registrar for Dekalb County School Systems. She also worked for Plants Forever in Lilburn, Georgia as a horticulturist after her retirement from Dekalb County School Systems. She was a member of Mountain Park United Methodist Church for many years where she took care of the plants in the church buildings. She was also the Sunday School class secretary for over 30 years to the fellowship class.

Her activities included: Ballroom Dancing, Square dancing and Line dancing and she won a medal from the Fred Astaire dance studio. Gardening was her passion where she had photos of her back yard featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper. She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop and a Cub Scout leader for her son’s troop. She was very involved in her Ridgeland Forest neighborhood subdivision in Lilburn, Georgia as part of the new neighbor welcoming team, helping with seasonal decorations and the gardening at the front entrance to the subdivision.

Shirley is preceded in death by James Carl Burns - Husband, James Steven Burns - Son and Richard Lloyd Christenbury - Brother.

Shirley is survived by: Barbara Burns Rockstroh-Daughter, who is married to Edward Joseph Rockstroh and their children: Nicole Erin Rockstroh - Daughter, and Daniel Edward Rockstroh - Son.

The family of Shirley wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Live Oaks Community Church of Oxford, Florida for their involvement in Shirley’s spiritual and physical care at Trinity Springs, Oxford, Florida assisted living community, where she spent the last few years of her life. They also want to thank the wonderful care staff at Trinity Springs Assisted Living who have cared for her over the past years.