Bertha Burns

Bertha Elizabeth Walker Burns was born into this life in Graham, Texas, in 1922, to James Alec Grady and Ruth Williams Walker and entered into her eternal rest on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in Justin,Texas, surrounded by loving family and friends. Known affectionately as "Nanny" to her grandchildren, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James Rayford Burns, Sr., by three sons, Donald Paul Burns who died in infancy, J. R. Jr, Roy Alton Burns and by Victoria Sauer, great-grand-daughter. She is survived by two sons, Jim (wife Doris) of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Larry (wife Sharon) of Justin, Texas, twelve grand-children, Debi Burns Ingram, Randy, Alton, Roy, Jr., David, Larry, Jr., Donna, Kevin, Todd and Ryan Burns, Mandie Crum and Kristian Hannon; nineteen great-grand-children: Emily, Amy, Ryan, Michael, Brandt, Jessica, Allie, Hunter, Ty, Trevor, Max, Dylan, Bryan, Troy, Lucas, Peighton, Mikayla, Malachi, and Maya and one great-great-grandchild, Lyla. Mrs. Burns was a charter member of the Mineral Wells Church of God. She began playing as assistant organist when she was five years old and continued to play for services as needed until her final months. She continued a life-long friendship with charter member Ethel Hamilton. With such a long association, church members and family find it hard to determine between kinship and friendship. She had many "adopted" children who have been so kind to her through the years, including the Hendricks, Albins, Atkins, Glovers, Smiths and extended Walker family. She never had a conversation without the church family being mentioned. Bertha served as a pastor's wife, Sunday School teacher, youth worker and many other positions in church, but her favorite position was on the piano bench. She trained her sons to be musical. Many of the family have become professional musicians. She, herself, always played by ear and by memory. The service of celebration of her life will be at the Mineral Wells Church of God on Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Pastor Jerrel Tomlin will serve as minister, and grandsons will serve as pall-bearers. Family and friends are invited to visit during the church meal at noon with viewing in the sanctuary one hour before service. Baum-Carlock-Baumgardner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.