With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Vicki Held Burns, a
spiritually minded, gifted artist, who left this world on March 24,
2025, at the age of 79. Known as "Nonny" for the last 24 years by
family and friends, she was a Proverbs 31 woman—an intuitive
soul, deeply attuned to the movements of the Holy Spirit. Vicki was
a constant source of encouragement to her family, always reminding
her children, "Remember who you are and whose you are," as they
left the house. Her children fondly recall waking up for school to
find her already immersed in her daily devotion and prayer. She also
took great care in nurturing her grandchildren's relationship with
our Heavenly Father. Often referring to herself as "Tricky Vicki,"
she kept us all laughing with her treasure trove of one-liners,
brightening every room with her wit and infectious sense of humor.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Vicki was drawn to creativity from an early
age. She attended Eastern Hills High School in Ft Worth and went on to graduate from the University of
Texas at Austin with a degree in Fine Art. She later pursued a second degree from Rollins College to
teach art to children. Through her innate calling to explore the world through colors, textures, and forms,
she was exceptional at inspiring young people to create. All three of her children and six of her
grandchildren were her students, and her legacy lives on through them—one grandchild is pursuing a
career in art, while others are venturing into various creative fields.
Vicki's art was not only a means of personal expression but also a vehicle for spiritual healing. After the
heartbreaking loss of her son, Aaron, at the age of 19, her abstract landscapes, which captured the essence
of peace, and her deeply moving portraits, which conveyed raw emotion, became profound reflections of
divine tranquility, inviting others to connect with the spiritual realm. Throughout her life, she
demonstrated an unparalleled ability to capture the divine presence in every brushstroke, sculpture, or
canvas, with each piece reflecting not just skill but a profound spiritual connection. Though Nonny has
left this earthly realm, her art and spirit continue to touch all who experience it, leaving behind a legacy of
works that transcend time and space with an enduring message: that art, in its truest form, is a dialogue
between the human soul and the Divine.
Vicki is preceded in death by her son, Aaron Cowan Burns; her husband, Collis Lamar Burns, Jr.; her
parents, Elizabeth and Herbert Held; and her stepfather, Col. Charles H. Swift. She is survived by her
brother, Gene Held and his family; her sister-in-law, Jenny Anderson, and her family; her daughter Kelly
and Wade Kruse, along with their children, Reagan, Aaron, and Lane; and her son Zachary Burns and his
children, Grayson, Leila, and Carter. They are comforted by the knowledge that they have witnessed the
life of someone who not only saw the world differently but also helped others see the divine within it.
A celebration of Vicki's life and legacy will be held on April 5th, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 pm at Piper Glen
Country Club, where friends and family are invited to gather and honor the profound beauty she brought
to the world. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Aaron Burns Memorial Scholarship at
Appalachian State University (Attn: Advancement Services; PO Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608). Please
include "Aaron Burns Scholarship" in the memo line. Giving link:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/54088/donations/new?designation_id=uni94490