Pocahontas- Ernest Harlin Burns, 92, of Pocahontas, died at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro on June 8, 2017.

Ernest lived all of his life in Lawrence and Randolph Counties other than the time he spent in college and in serving his country in World War II. He was born March 19, 1925, at Alicia, Arkansas, to Albert and Amey Rice Burns. He attended Bramblett School in the Egypt Community, helped the family in farming and was drafted out of high school and into the US Navy in October 1943. He served aboard the USS Marcus Island, CVE 77, an Escort Carrier as a Petty Officer First Class in the Pacific seeing action from Palau, the Philippines thru Okinawa. His ship was a part of the largest naval battle of WWII, the battles of Leyte Gulf and battle off of Samar Island during the Philippines Campaign, during which the only US carrier sunk during WWII by naval gunfire, his sister ship, the Gambier Bay, was sunk prior to the enemy turning their guns on to his ship, prior to the enemy withdrawing. After Okinawa, during which his ship saw significant kamikaze action, it was engaged in ferrying planes and material when the atomic bombs were dropped, ending WWII.

After WWII, Ernest returned to Lawrence County, attended Walnut Ridge High School, where he met the love of his life, his future wife, Audine Miller. Upon graduation, he attended Draughon's Business College in Springfield, Missouri, where they were married in September of 1947. Upon graduation they moved to Pocahontas in December of 1948 where Ernest became the bookkeeper for Baymiller's Auto Parts, which in the mid 1950\u0027s became K and M Auto Parts with Ernerst as manager. Over the years Ernest bought into the business and became complete owner in the spring of 1984, where he worked until his retirement and sale of the business in February 2005.

Ernest was a Master Mason, a former member of the Pocahontas City Council, and was a member of the Pocahontas Kiwanis Club. During his years with his store as a member of the NAPA Automotive Parts Association he received many Jobber awards and recognition as one of the best stores in the Memphis Mid-South Region.

Ernest found peace and significant meaning of life in his attendance and membership in the Pyburn Street Church of Christ, along with his many friends and acquaintances. He loved trout fishing on Spring River and bass fishing on the lakes and rivers of Arkansas, and also fishing in Cuba, Mexico and the Caribbean. Golf with his grandson, Alex, his friend and buddy, was his main leisure activity which he cherished. Once he retired, gardening became a favorite pastime. He and Audine also enjoyed traveling to Razorback games, and took tours to Spain, Switzerland and the Caribbean. He leaves his family and friends a strong legacy of faith, love, honor, patience and service to his community and his faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Kenneth Joe Burns of the Egypt community.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Audine, of Randolph County Nursing Home; son, Richard (Gayle) of Pocahontas; grandson, Alex (Trisha); and great grandchildren, Wesley and Kaitlynn, all of Jonesboro; brother Glendon (Billie) of Jonesboro; uncle, Jack Rice of Egypt; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be at McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 with a visitation at 1 pm, funeral service at 2 pm, with a burial in Jonesboro Memorial Gardens on Old Harrisburg Road between 4-4:30 pm following the funeral.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Alex Burns, Barry Burns, Tim Burns, Ronnie Foster, Jerry and Jonathan Bobbitt.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Doctors Ray Hall, Kevin Collins, Scott Dorroh and the entire staff at the NEA Cancer Center and staff, and especially Brenda at NEA Cancer Center. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, Dr. Ben Owens, nurses Sarah and Cheril of the Jones Hospice House, and Jennifer of Arkansas Home Hospice.

For lasting memorials, the family requests you consider St. Jude's in Memphis, Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, or Fisher House Foundation for military families found online.