Anne was born on October 24, 1929, in Washington, District of Columbia. She grew up in Shawnee and Norman, Oklahoma. During her childhood, she spent a considerable amount of time in Wilmington, Delaware with her maternal grandmother, Anna Maria Mitchell, during summer vacations. Her grandmother loved her with all her heart and made her feel very special. In her later years, she would often reminisce about the special times she spent with her grandmother.
Her early college years were spent at the University of Oklahoma where she studied foreign languages and became a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She also met her husband during this time.
Shortly after her marriage, she and her husband lived with her husband’s paternal grandparents, Fred and Pearl Burns. She often spoke of how much fun she had living there as Pearl would drop everything and say “Come on Anne, let’s go fishing!” She continued to study foreign languages at the University of Illinois while her husband obtained his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering. She typed her husband’s doctoral thesis for him.
She often said that the happiest times in her life were when her children were growing up. Her children and her extended family were the most important aspects of her life. Her pets and God’s wild creatures also held a special place in her heart. She was an excellent cook and even prepared and hosted the wedding rehearsal dinner at her home for her youngest daughter, Jane. She was of service to others by volunteering at the Spring Branch Hospital.
Her faith and her affiliation with the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church were at the core of her life. She served as a member of the Altar Guild at the Church for many years.
She is predeceased by her parents, Wendell S. Taylor, Sr. and Marion Mitchell Taylor of Cookson, Oklahoma; her son, Thomas Neal Burns of Houston, Texas; her son-in-law, James C. Sykes of Houston, Texas; her brother, Wendell S. Taylor, Jr. and her sister-in-laws, Pat Grant Taylor and Joye Shread Taylor, all of Diamondhead, Mississippi.
She is survived by her children, Sara Burns Sykes of Houston, Texas; W. Ben Burns of Austin, Texas; and Jane Burns Burleson and her husband, Robert E. Burleson, of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by her beautiful and giving granddaughter, Amanda Burleson Hall and her husband, Scott Hall, her great grandsons, Austin Hall and Tristin Hall, and her great granddaughter, Ainsley Hall, all of Flower Mound, Texas.
She is survived by a very special long-time friend, Steve Scholz, of Houston, Texas, who gave her unconditional support and compassion for many years.
She is also survived by her beloved cat, Daisy, who she cared for until her last day.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 12535 Perthshire Rd., Houston, Texas 77024, on Friday, June 2nd at 1:30 p.m. The placement of her ashes will be held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079, at 3 p.m. that same day.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 12535 Perthshire Rd., Houston, Texas 77024, to Susan G. Koman Houston, 602 Sawyer, Suite 201, Houston, Texas 77007 or to the Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Dr., Houston, Texas 77024.
If you wish to send flowers instead, they may be sent directly to the Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.
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