Mary Lou Burns was born on November 4, 1943 in Diffee (Decatur County) Georgia to the late Jessie Nelson Burns, Jr. and Hattie Small Burns.
She was raised in Albany along with her four siblings: the late Anderson (Zulu), Helen, the late Jessie III (Slim), and Gregory (Van). They were a strong family unit always loving and supporting each other. Their strong bond was attributed to their parental and Christian upbringing. In fact, Mary was an active member at Mount Zion Baptist church.

After graduating from Monroe High School, she attended Albany State College (University) where she was actively involved in the Albany Civil Rights Movement. Her passion for equal rights and racial justice led her to participate in civic demonstrations, which led her to be arrested on several occasions.

Like many freedom fighters, jail did not deter a strong, determined Mary Lou. She continued the good fight by attending the historical March on Washington in 1963 and afterwards, she remained in D.C. for the next thirty years as a civil servant in local and federal government.

She returned to Georgia in the mid-90s first settling in Atlanta and later in Albany where she lived several years until her transition.

She leaves a legacy of love through her siblings: Helen Burns Jackson (John T, Jr.) and Gregory Van Burns, Sr. (Eva); aunts: Macy Owens and Ann Small; nieces: LaDasia, Japonica, D'Andrea, Avis, Mikoyah; nephews: Greg, Court, Titus, Shawn, Greg, Jr., Courtney, Chavious; and a host of great nieces/nephews, cousins, distant relatives, and family friends