Sandra “Sandy” J. Burns, 74, of Richmond, Missouri, passed away Saturday morning, May 9, 2026, at Ignite Medical Resort in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sandra was born on October 4, 1951, to Bob and Hazel Burns of Richmond, Missouri. She never strayed far from her roots, living virtually her entire life in Richmond. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1969. She attended both Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, and Kansas City Business School, earning a certification as a medical transcriptionist. She later attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and earned her Paralegal Certificate in 1991.
After her early working years at United Missouri Bank (the City National Bank), Sandy made the move to her life’s passion – the title business. She worked for 25 years at Garner McCalley Abstract & Title in Richmond, and then she owned and operated her own title business, Burns Title, LLC, on the northwest corner of the Richmond Square. She retired in 2010 but never lost her love for the stories of land and of people in Ray County. Anyone who knew Sandy knew she was an avid storyteller.
Sandy described herself as “lucky to have two sets of parents,” Bob and Hazel Burns and Don and Mary Jo (Garner) Davis. Mary Jo was always “mom” to Sandy, from Sandy’s early days with Mary Jo and her mother, Cecil Haynes. Sandy, like Mary Jo, loved old movies of the 30s and 40s, and loved to travel. Sandy and Mary Jo traveled over the years to all 50 states and to 19 countries.
Sandy was preceded in death by Bob and Hazel, and by Don and Mary Jo. She is survived by numerous cousins and a host of friends. At Sandy’s request, there will be no service. Private burial at Sunny Slope Cemetery in Richmond. Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of arrangements. Please remember to share your memories of Sandra with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
