Sunday, July 11, 2010

In Memoriam - Ruth Burns


Erma Ruth Burns, 96, died at 8:45 am July 10th at the BSA Hospice. One of eleven children of Emmett and Lizzie Tunnell, she is survived by her son Terry Burns and Daughter in law Saundra Burns of Amarillo and two sisters, Nell Thomas of Nashville TN and Meta Graves of Electra TX, grandchildren Teresa Burns of Houston TX, Bryan Burns of Carlsbad NM, and step-grandchildren Kristi Butler of Ennis, TX; Jeff Waters of Elk City OK and Marcie Gunter of Elk City OK. The Great Grandchildren are Jacob Lambright of Palestine TX, Mandy Lambright of Abilene TX, Preston Burns, Bryce Burns and Sean Burns of Carlsbad NM, Shanda Henrichs of Rowlett TX, Kasey Seeberger of Little Rock, AR, Alex Waters of Elk City OK and Jalen Gunter and Makayla Gunter of Elk City OK.

Born in Electra TX she lived in Pampa TX for more than 60 years and was the wife of Melton Burns who preceded her in death as did her only other child, her son Trent. She worked for many years as a manager of a cafeteria at the Pampa school system and lacked only a few weeks being a charter member of the Central Baptist Church in Pampa. In latter years she lived in Amarillo and was a beloved member of Bolton Street Baptist Church.

In life, the inevitable squabbles and events occurred on both sides of the family but she was never involved, being genuinely loved and cherished by all, the most sweet and gentle spirit any of us ever knew. Of herself she once said, "I've never been hurt, never been mistreated or abused, or never been hungry. I've walked with the Lord all my life and I guess it's been a pretty good life."

In our garden of life, she was our rose.

There will be a visitation at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home here in Amarillo from 6-8 pm tomorrow. The funeral will be Monday the 12th (mom's 96th birthday) at 11 am at Bolton Street Baptist Church, 2555 Bolton Street, Amarillo TX 79103. Memorials may be sent to the Bolton Street Building Fund at that address. Brother Leon Green will officiate.

The graveside service will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Brother Norman Rushing of Central Baptist Church where mother attended many years and only lacked a couple of weeks being a charter member.

9 comments:

Tina Dee Books said...

My heart and prayers are with you and your family, Terry.

Thank you for sharing your sweet mama, and for allowing us to honor her and thank the Lord for her life. She's for sure, one person I will look for the other side of Heaven's gates when I enter in.

Lord bless you, my friend. Know you're on our hearts.

Jennifer Taylor said...

Terry, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. She sounds like such a wonderful woman! I love the photos of your mom and Saundra.

Wendy Delfosse said...

I'm sorry, Terry. I know you wouldn't know me by name, but from reading your blogs I can tell your mother was special and very dearly loved. My condolences, praying for you to rely on the hope she had in Christ through your loss.

kathy taylor said...

God bless you and your family. I'm so sorry.

Anonymous said...

Terry, I'm sorry to read of the loss of your precious mom. What a joyful testimony of how she blessed those around her with a sweet and gentle spirit. Truly this will be a legacy she leaves for generations to come. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time that you will know His peace that passes all understanding.

Kym McNabney said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She sounds like she was a wonderful lady, and will be greatly missed.

God bless,

Kym

Anonymous said...

Terry,

Our hearts are with you. Mothers are a vital part of our lives, from our beginnings. As a mother of grown children, I now believe Mothers are supposed to do such a good job rearing our babies, that we make ourselves obsolete. We are delighted to produce offspring who can stand in the stream of life sturdy and capable. Your mother did a terrific job. You were a fine accomplishment and I know she was proud of you.

Josanne said...

What a blessing she has been to her family! She was born two years before my mother. They both experienced so much in the almost-100 years of life...seen so many changes. My mother was Texas-born as well. What a gift of long life to Erma Ruth and to her children! Her life lives on in so many lives.

Anonymous said...

Terr;y,

I just learned of your dear mother's departure to a better place. How blessed you were to have her with you for 96 years. Memories are treasures in our lives--and think of all those she left for you and others who knew her. I'll me praying for you and your family. My God's grace fill the empty space she left in your hearts.

Ann Knowles (annknowles07@aol.com)