Patricia Anne Jenkins Burns

Patricia Anne Jenkins Burns, 81, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Biloxi, MS at the Old Biloxi Hospital, Patricia was the beloved daughter of C.D. and Rita Jenkins. Throughout her life, she carried the resilience and warmth of her Croatian (formerly Yugoslavian) heritage, a legacy that deeply influenced her character and community involvement.

Patricia’s early life was marked by her father’s military career, which took the family to various cities and countries. She attended Dukate School in Biloxi before moving to Valdosta, GA. The family’s journey continued overseas to Germany, where Patricia graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School. Upon returning to Biloxi, she pursued higher education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and later at the University of Southern Mississippi.

For more than 35 years, Patricia dedicated herself to teaching physical education in the Biloxi Public Schools, retiring in 2001. Her commitment to education left a lasting impact on thousands of lives.

She was a devout Catholic and was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. Patricia was an active member of the Slavonian Ladies Auxiliary, where she found joy in her cultural roots and community service. She loved spending time with her family and friends, playing cards and indulging in shopping trips. All who knew her will fondly remember her warmth, kindness, generosity and dedication to her loved ones.

Patricia is preceded in death by her beloved son, Clinton Charles Burns; her parents, C.D. Jenkins and Rita Misko Jenkins; and her grandparents, George A. Misko and Madeline (Madelina) Pitalo Misko and Lois Ann Jenkins Meaut and Justin Thomas (Manny) Meaut.

She is survived by her daughter, Casey Burns Lee (Joey); her cherished granddaughter, Ginger Allison Lee of Madison, MS; her sister, Georgia Menhennett; her brother Randy Jenkins (Donna); her nephews, Steve Hankins Jr., Christopher Jenkins and Zak Hankins (Marisa); her great-niece, Gracie Hankins; and the father of her children, Clinton Steve Burns.

Patricia’s life was a testament to love, perseverance and community values. She will be dearly missed and forever cherished by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi on Friday, June 28, 2024. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass time at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the entombment at The Slavonian Lodge in Biloxi, MS.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Patricia Anne Jenkins Burns.