Larry Darnell Burney Sr. was born on August 27, 1950 to Thomas M. and Esther M. Burney. He was the second of eight children. He was educated in the Lenoir County Public School System graduating from Adkin Senior High School in 1970. He was married to Denderant Jones Burney. Their union was blessed with one son, Larry Darnell Burney, Jr. He also was the father of Michael Small. He was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Assistant Church Treasurer, President of the Hostess Auxiliary, Chief Usher & Treasurer, and Chairman of the Trustee Board. He enlisted in the United Stated Army in 1971, where he served as a helicopter medic, and was honorably discharged in February 1984. He was employed withe United Postal Service as a mail carrier 1985-2004, until his retirement. Larry was an active member of Vietnam Veterans Association of America.
