Please join us in honoring the life of Barbara Jewell Burns. You are welcome to attend her funeral service in person, or you can watch the LIVE Broadcast at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 20, 2026. Simply click the link below to view the service.

Barbara Burns LIVE Funeral Service Broadcast

Barbara Jewell Burns, 73, of Willisburg, Kentucky, passed away March 13, 2026, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

She was born November 9, 1952, in Lebanon, Kentucky, to the late Clyde and Deverl Burns of Willisburg, Kentucky.

Barbara was a 1970 graduate of Western High School in Anderson County. She later attended Eastern Kentucky University, where she graduated in May 1974 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Following her graduation, she began a career of service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, retiring from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services after more than 40 years of dedicated service. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored as a Kentucky Colonel.

Barbara was incredibly generous with her time, talents, and resources, always giving freely and never seeking recognition in return. She was like a second mother to her nieces and nephews and was deeply devoted to her family. She was an exceptionally talented basket weaver and never met a craft she couldn't master.

She also loved to travel and explore the world, often accompanied by her siblings or nieces and nephews. Over the years she visited 47 of the 50 states and four of the seven continents, forming friendships and memories everywhere she went.

Barbara was a longtime member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Tatum Springs, Kentucky, and most recently attended Sand Spring Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg.

She is survived by her three sisters: Julia Thompson (Allen), Sue Reno (Scott), and Betty Montgomery (Bobby), all of Lawrenceburg, and her brother, Kenny Burns of Willisburg.

She is also survived by her nieces: Heather Adams (Randy) of Lawrenceburg, Whitney Beyer (Zach) of Willisburg, and Sydney Fannin (Bradley) of Versailles; and her nephews: Chris Thompson (Dana) of Lawrenceburg, Jeremy Thompson (Joy) of Willisburg, Mack Reno (Sara) of Georgetown, and Caleb Montgomery (Niki) of Lawrenceburg. She is also survived by 11 great-nieces and 5 great-nephews.

Barbara was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she made wherever life and her travels took her.  Barbara's life reflected her love for God and her family. She lived with grace, generosity, and unwavering faith, and she is now at peace in the presence of her Lord. As the scripture says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2026 at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home.  Dr. Mike Hamrick, Bro. Jeremy Thompson and Bro. Randy Adams will officiate the service.  Burial will follow in Sand Spring Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 – 8 PM Thursday and after 9 - 11 AM Friday at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Jeremy Thompson, Mack Reno, Caleb Montgomery, Zack Beyer, and Randy Adams.  Honorary bearers will be Kelly Durham, Heather Adams, Whitney Beyer, Dana Thompson, Joy Thompson, Niki Montgomery, Sara Reno, and her many basket weaving friends.

Memorials in memory of Barbara Burns are suggested to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church 1403 Tatum Springs Rd, Willisburg, KY 40078.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home, Lawrenceburg, KY. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.ritchieandpeach.com.