Dr. Billye Goree Burns
1937-2025
1937-2025
Dr. Billye Goree Burns was a beloved educator, public servant, mentor, and trailblazer in Northeast Louisiana. Born in 1937, Dr. Burns dedicated her life to teaching, leadership, and community service. She passed away on April 9, 2025. As the Monroe Free Press noted, she was a “revered educator, public servant, mentor, and trailblazer” whose “remarkable impact” on education and public service will be remembered.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Burns' early life was shaped by the values of hard work and education. Growing up on a farm near Ruston, she understood early on that knowledge would be her pathway out of poverty. A valedictorian and homecoming queen at Grambling Laboratory High School, she went on to earned multiple degrees in science and education, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning and teaching:
Career in Education
Dr. Burns spent decades as a teacher and administrator at Morehouse High School (Bastrop, Louisiana) and in the Monroe City Schools, where she was known as a passionate science and math educator and a leader among faculty. Colleagues recalled her as a “pioneer educator” who opened doors for students and teachers alike. In later years she served as an educational consultant and worked as a program evaluator for the Louisiana Department of Education, sharing best practices statewide. Throughout her career she was actively engaged in professional associations and school committees, consistently advocating for academic excellence and equal opportunity.
Public Service and Political Involvement
A devoted Democrat, Burns extended her leadership to public affairs. She served on Louisiana’s Democratic State Central Committee and was a delegate from Louisiana to four Democratic National Conventions (1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008). In 2011 she ran for the Louisiana House of Representatives (District 17), narrowly missing victory by just a few votes. (State records note that candidate Marcus Hunter won the 2011 race by only three votes over Burns.) Though not elected, her campaign symbolized her commitment to representation and civic engagement. She remained active in local politics and community organizations for the rest of her life.
Mentorship and Community Engagement
Beyond schools and politics, Dr. Burns was a cherished mentor and community leader. She was a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first Greek-letter sorority for African-American women. In April 2025, AKA sisters honored her “65 years of committed membership and sisterhood” with a ceremonial Ivy Beyond the Wall service. Through AKA and other civic groups, Dr. Burns mentored countless young women and supported educational and social programs in West Monroe. (She was also active in organizations such as the Prince Hall Affiliated Eastern Star and the “GramFam” alumni network, reflecting her broad community ties.) Known affectionately as “Ms. Burns” or “Dr. Burns,” she was viewed as a role model by students, sorority sisters, and community members, always encouraging others to pursue education and service.
Recognitions and Legacy
Although a modest woman, Burns received numerous honors in her lifetime. Local media and leaders often described her as a trailblazer for African-American educators and as a “pioneer” in her field. Community organizations – including the Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana – recognized her with awards for her lifelong service (for example, her family’s social media posts note that she was an award recipient). In 2025, hundreds of friends and former students gathered at Trenton Baptist Church (West Monroe) and Rocky Valley Baptist Church (Simsboro) to celebrate her life and legacy. Speakers highlighted her remarkable impact on education and public life and pledged to carry on her legacy of leadership and service.
Dr. Billye Goree Burns is remembered as a tireless educator and public servant who “dedicated her life to education and public service”. Her lasting impact lives on in the many students she taught, the younger leaders she mentored, and the institutions she helped shape. Through her pioneering career and a spirit, she paved the way for future generations of teachers and leaders in North Louisiana.
Sources: Monroe Free Press, Monroe Dispatch, and Political Graveyard.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Burns' early life was shaped by the values of hard work and education. Growing up on a farm near Ruston, she understood early on that knowledge would be her pathway out of poverty. A valedictorian and homecoming queen at Grambling Laboratory High School, she went on to earned multiple degrees in science and education, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning and teaching:
- B.S. in Science & Mathematics – Grambling State University
- M.S. in Teaching Chemistry – Southern University
- Master’s in Educational Leadership – Loyola University
- Ed.D. (Educational Leadership) – University of Louisiana (Monroe)
Career in Education
Dr. Burns spent decades as a teacher and administrator at Morehouse High School (Bastrop, Louisiana) and in the Monroe City Schools, where she was known as a passionate science and math educator and a leader among faculty. Colleagues recalled her as a “pioneer educator” who opened doors for students and teachers alike. In later years she served as an educational consultant and worked as a program evaluator for the Louisiana Department of Education, sharing best practices statewide. Throughout her career she was actively engaged in professional associations and school committees, consistently advocating for academic excellence and equal opportunity.
Public Service and Political Involvement
A devoted Democrat, Burns extended her leadership to public affairs. She served on Louisiana’s Democratic State Central Committee and was a delegate from Louisiana to four Democratic National Conventions (1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008). In 2011 she ran for the Louisiana House of Representatives (District 17), narrowly missing victory by just a few votes. (State records note that candidate Marcus Hunter won the 2011 race by only three votes over Burns.) Though not elected, her campaign symbolized her commitment to representation and civic engagement. She remained active in local politics and community organizations for the rest of her life.
- Delegate, Democratic National Convention (LA – 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
- Member, Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee
- 2011: Democratic Candidate, Louisiana House District 17 (Ouachita Parish)
Mentorship and Community Engagement
Beyond schools and politics, Dr. Burns was a cherished mentor and community leader. She was a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first Greek-letter sorority for African-American women. In April 2025, AKA sisters honored her “65 years of committed membership and sisterhood” with a ceremonial Ivy Beyond the Wall service. Through AKA and other civic groups, Dr. Burns mentored countless young women and supported educational and social programs in West Monroe. (She was also active in organizations such as the Prince Hall Affiliated Eastern Star and the “GramFam” alumni network, reflecting her broad community ties.) Known affectionately as “Ms. Burns” or “Dr. Burns,” she was viewed as a role model by students, sorority sisters, and community members, always encouraging others to pursue education and service.
Recognitions and Legacy
Although a modest woman, Burns received numerous honors in her lifetime. Local media and leaders often described her as a trailblazer for African-American educators and as a “pioneer” in her field. Community organizations – including the Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana – recognized her with awards for her lifelong service (for example, her family’s social media posts note that she was an award recipient). In 2025, hundreds of friends and former students gathered at Trenton Baptist Church (West Monroe) and Rocky Valley Baptist Church (Simsboro) to celebrate her life and legacy. Speakers highlighted her remarkable impact on education and public life and pledged to carry on her legacy of leadership and service.
Dr. Billye Goree Burns is remembered as a tireless educator and public servant who “dedicated her life to education and public service”. Her lasting impact lives on in the many students she taught, the younger leaders she mentored, and the institutions she helped shape. Through her pioneering career and a spirit, she paved the way for future generations of teachers and leaders in North Louisiana.
Sources: Monroe Free Press, Monroe Dispatch, and Political Graveyard.