Louise Goodrich Burton
Louise Goodrich Burton, 99 yrs old, passed gently and calmly from this life on Monday, January 4, at Senior Care of Hewitt. Weezie, as she was known by, was born in Marlin and lived most of her life there. In 2016 she moved to Stilwell Retirement Residence in Waco, and later to Ridgecrest Assisted Living. A gregarious, happy and positive person by nature, Weezie Burton never met a stranger, enjoyed the company of others, and loved laughter.
Weezie was born in Marlin on July 18, 1921, the sixth child of Nick and Louise Goodrich. She graduated from Marlin High School and went on to study at John Tarleton College in Stephenville. After graduation from Tarleton, she worked in Beaumont at the then Magnolia Petroleum Refinery where she met her future husband, Edwin (“Pete”) Burton. They were married in Marlin in 1945, returning to live in Beaumont until his death in 1949. She returned to Marlin with her son, David, to live with her parents and began work as a secretary and later a teacher of 3rd grade at Marlin Elementary School. In the early 1950s, she took evening classes at Baylor where she received the M.Ed. She continued to teach 3rd grade until her retirement. Shortly after retiring from public school teaching, she became Head of School and teacher at St. John’s Episcopal School (Marlin), where she continued teaching until the school closed in the late 1980s. Even after retiring completely, she volunteered with Faith, Hope & Charity, an after-school program in Marlin where she helped young learners with reading and math skills.
Weezie grew up in the shadows of folks who enjoyed the pleasures of good food shared with family and friends. While working, she had little time to spend in the kitchen. In the 1970s, however, she and four cousins set out to write a cookbook that would feature not only recipes of family and friends, but also an historical record for later generations. They spent years compiling, testing and tasting that resulted in “Bounty on the Brazos: Four Generations of Texas Cooking”. Countless cooks, and non-cooks alike, treasure their copy of “Bounty” because it combines not only sometimes quirky recipes of other eras, but also vivid, humorous memories of the cooks who prepared them.
Weezie was a life-long member of St John’s Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday School, served as a Vestry member, as Senior Warden, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the choir, Altar Guild, Episcopal Church Women and Daughters of the King. She was a member of Wednesday Matinee Musical Club, Tuesday-night Bridge Club, The Literary Club, and a founding member of the Not-So-Great Book Club. In Waco, she was a member of St Alban’s Episcopal Church.
When she turned 80, Weezie felt called to ministry in the Episcopal Church and took a three-year course in Spiritual Direction sponsored by the Diocese of Texas. She diligently read, studied and attended monthly lectures in Bryan, completing that course as a certified Spiritual Director. During the same time, she participated in the Kairos Prison Ministry. Her team met twice a year in Marlin, at St John’s, to go into the Hobby Unit (Marlin). She always said that meeting and interacting with the women inmates was a highlight of her Kairos ministry.
Special thanks go to Senior Care of Hewitt and Interim Healthcare Hospice of Waco for their excellent care and compassion. Final arrangements are made by Adams Funeral Home in Marlin and Connally-Compton Funeral Home in Waco.
Weezie Burton is survived by her son, Professor (ret) David Burton of Athens, Ohio; caretakers Polly and Rob Brown of Riesel; caretaker, friend and companion, Fern Lee of Waco; numerous nieces, nephews and their families; and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Nick W. and Louise (Finks) Goodrich, husband Edwin Burton, and eight siblings.
Due to the COVID pandemic and at her request, she will be cremated. A memorial service/Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the charity of your choice.