The celebration of life will take place for Mrs. Geraldine Burns-Maycumber on May 30, 2025. at 1 p.m. at the Fairview Central Christian Church, Fairview, Oklahoma.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 9am to 7pm at Fairview Funeral Home, Fairview, OK.  Mrs. Burns funeral service can be watched live on http://www.facebook.com/centralchristianchurchfairviewok

Long-time Fairview teacher Geraldine Burns-Maycumber, passed away May 24, 2025, at the age of 103.  As a 44-year educator of High School English, she spent the last 40 years of her career at Fairview High School in Fairview, OK. In some cases, she taught 3 generations of students in the same family.

Jerry, as she was known by her family, was born April 15, 1922. She was the eldest of four daughters born to Franklin James Paris and Gertie Gould-Paris in Fairview, OK. She attended school in Fairview, graduating with the class of 1941. She enjoyed playing clarinet in the band. Within two weeks of high school graduation, she was attending Phillips University in Enid, OK, where she received her Bachelor's degree in English Education. Her emphasis was on speech, journalism and creative writing. She also played clarinet as a member of the Phillips University band. Jerry graduated only three years later, by attending summer, fall and spring classes. She was determined to become the best educator possible and work successfully with high schoolers as it was most satisfying for her. It didn't take long talking to her to know that the memories she made during her teaching career were priceless, and she took great joy in staying in touch with her former students throughout her life.

Jerry frequently attended workshops on college campuses to enrich her learning. For more than twenty years she conducted two-week summer workshops for teachers on composition writing, creative writing, writing across the curriculum, and proper writing of research data.

Through the years she received many honors, with two of her greatest being named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 1986 and being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Through the cooperative efforts of Students, Teachers and Administrators she and former students received four trips to Washington, D.C., as well as other educational trips, in which students received cash awards, college scholarships and numerous banquet accolades.

The library at Fairview High School was dedicated in the early 80's as the Geraldine Burns Learning Center.

After retiring, she volunteered for the Hospital Auxiliary at Fairview Regional Hospital. She also helped on projects where the Major County Retired Teachers Association was involved. She was a life-long member of Central Christian Church in Fairview, serving as a Board member, Secretary of the Women's Group, and most recently as Historian.

Geraldine was married to Joseph (Joe) Burns for fifty years. Some years after his death she married Richard E. Maycumber, a high school classmate who resided in Englewood, CO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, two sisters, Ivine Paris and Juanita Edgmon, both of Yukon, OK. and nephews, Steven Wood and Robert Wood, both of Yukon, OK.

Geraldine is survived by her sister, Maxine Dodd, of Claremore, OK.; two nieces, Susan Dodd-Taylor and her husband Dr. Charles Taylor, of Jenks, OK; Dr. Karen Willhoite and her husband Ken Willhoite, of Claremore, OK; four great nieces, all calling her "Aunt Jerry," Leslie Wood of Burnsville, MN; Dr. Whitley Taylor, of Greenville, S.C.; Shelby Taylor Santana and husband, Gibran of Dallas, TX; and Darcy Taylor, of Jenks, OK; Four great nephews, Cale Corley, of  Claremore, OK; Reid Willhoite, of Oklahoma City, OK; Alec Willhoite and Hayden Willhoite, both of Irving, TX; two great-great nieces, Jade Wood of Burnsville, MN and Lyla Santana of Dallas, Tx, numerous cousins and many long-time friends.

Her extended family includes stepson Ed Maycumber and his wife Joni, their children Ian and his wife Kelly and their children Finn and Juniper; and daughter Quinn and her partner Dylan and their children Anders and Emeric. Stepdaughter Hazel Ellis and her husband Greg and their children Chandra; Lynn and his wife Tami and their child Brandon; Shanna and her husband Nathan and their children Cecelia and Finnigan; Connor and his wife Madi and their son Mitch; Collin and his wife Alli and their daughter Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Fairview Schools Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 456, Fairview, OK 73737, or to the Central Christian Church, P. O. Box 504, Fairview, OK 73737.

The family would like to thank Fairview Fellowship Home's staff in helping fulfill "Aunt Jerry's" desire to stay in Fairview the rest of her life. We are also deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community and extended family.