J.C. Burney was born January 10, 1908, at Manes, Mo., the son of Rev. Willie A. and Dulcie Austin Burney. He departed this life after a short illness, March 19, 1972, at the age of 64, in his home here in Mountain Grove. Mr. Burney was united in marriage to Erma Felkens, January 14, 1940 at Clarksville, Ark., and to this union two children were born.
Claude was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, a member of the Kiwanis, a member of the Wright County Democratic Central Committee and on the Board if Directors of the Missouri Bus Contractors Association and was an employee of the Public School system for the past 23 years. He was converted at the age of 14 and a member of the Southside Baptist Church where he served his Lord and his Church faithfully until the end.
Mr Burney was not an ordinary Christian or Church member, he was one that excelled in his Christian witnessing. He was a faithful Christian and member who loved the Word of God, the Work of God, and God's people. He was not only a hearer of the Word but a doer of the Word. He was patient and kind, his daily actions, his daily walk, spoke far, far louder than words can ever speak. He did much for his church and his Christ through prayer, gifts and his leadership in the many phases of the Church's work.
He brightened dark roads for many. He lightened the loads for many and if everybody whom he helped would bring a flower to his grave, he would sleep beneath many bouquets. What better could be said of Claude Burney, then, that he was found faithful.
He was a faithful husband, father, brother, grandfather and neighbor. This good man was a recipient of and a beneficiary of the mercies of God and he knew that by the mercies of God sins, his sins were blotted out. Yes! he was prepared and he is at home with God because of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his wife Erma of the home, a son Kenneth Lee of Mountain Grove, a daughter, Sharon kay Hilt of Mountain Grove, three brothers: Nolan of Manes, Troy of Mountain Grove, and Glen of Melton Free-Water, Oregon; also two sisters, Faye Moore of Manes and Mary Jennings of Chicago, Ill., and his step-mother Walcie J. Burney and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ray and Albert.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 in the High School gymnasium with Rev. Claude Barclay, Rev. Everett Hopkins and Rev. Gene Hooker officaiting. "Unclouded Day" and "What a Day That Will Be" was sung by a quartet composed of Edsel Yeager, John Shores, Wilson Brown and Hadley Graven. "Beyond the Sunset" was sung by Edsel Yeager. They were accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Carl McNay. Active pallbearers were Kenneth Austin, Lee Austin, Jr., H.E. Austin, L.L. Austin, Larry Crisp and Bob Hopkins. The Bus Drivers served as honorary bearers. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt-Hutsell.