Mr. Ernest Lee Burts, 68, affectionately known as "Papa Burts" was born on April 12, 1950 to the late Johnny and Mary Ann Burts. He departed this life on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Ernest attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools. He graduated from Atkins High School. He was a retired employee of the city of Winston-Salem in the department of Sanitations.

Mr. Burts was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ethel Burts; four brothers, John, Robert, Eugene, and Joe Burts; and one nephew, Rodney Burts.

He leaves to celebrate his life a loving wife of 34 years, Barbara Cheeks Burts; two daughters; one brother, James Burts of Winston-Salem, NC; goddaughter, Tiffani Carpenter; a godson, Overseer Kevin Moore of Atlanta, GA; special friend, Robert Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and god-grandkids of Macedonia Worship Center.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Macedonia Worship Center, 500 Kinard Drive, Winston-Salem, NC with Apostle S.D. Johnson officiating.  Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Thursday at the Church.