Obituary for Maxine Carolyn Burrs

BUNKIE, LA – A funeral service to honor the life of Maxine Carolyn Burrs
was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 12:00 Noon, at Pilgrim Chapel Baptist
Church in Saint Joseph, LA., with Pastor Anthony Watson officiating. Interment
followed in Panola Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Beckwith
Golden Gate Funeral Home of Tallulah, LA.
Maxine Carolyn Burrs, 82, of Saint Joseph, LA, departed this life on April 9,
2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, in Baton Rouge, LA.
Born to the late James, Sr. and Lillie Long, and Alonzo Craighton on
December 21, 1943, Maxine was the oldest of six children. Maxine was baptized in
1957 at the Mount Herridon Baptist Church by the late Reverend Woods. She was
a faithful member, serving in the choir and on the finance committee. A 1961
graduate of Tensas Rosenwald High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science
Degree in business education and English and Masters of Education Degree at
Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Additional coursework was completed at
Northeast State University in Monroe, LA., where she obtained her 30 Plus.
Extended certification endorsements included school counselor and computer
literacy.
Her 33-year teaching career began in 1965 at Carver High School in Bunkie
and with integration, was transferred to Bunkie High School. For her hard work,
she was rewarded by her students (both in high school and college) by being
nominated multiple times as “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” Ms. Burrs
retired as school guidance counselor in 1998.
Maxine was affiliated with many organizations in the educational field.
These organizations included: National Education Association, Louisiana
Association of Education, Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, and Avoyelles
Retired Teachers – Youth of Yesteryear. She was also a member of Ruth Chapter
#98 Eastern Star.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, William
Long and two (2) sisters, Patricia Long and Arglia Long.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth J. Burrs Sr., of Mesquite, TX; three
brothers, James Long of St. Joseph, LA, Alonzo Craighton of Praireville, LA, and
Lester Craighton of Baton Rouge, LA; four sisters, Judy L. Cephus of Baton
Rouge, LA, Lela Toldson of Riverside, CA, Brenda Hinkston of Alexandria, LA,
and Doris Washington of New Roads, LA; a very special nephew, Kirkland Long
of Aubrey, TX; six grandchildren; very special friends: Jessie Campbell of St.
Joseph, LA, Mary Coleman of Newellton, LA, and Bettye Hayward, Velma Keller,
and Craig Foster of Bunkie, LA. Her memory will also be cherished by great
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and a community that she loved.