Barbara O. Burton

Barbara (Thomas) Burton, or Granny to most of those who knew her these last 40 years, entered the world as a Yankee but left as a bonafide, Dallas Cowboy-lovin’ Texan. She was adored by her three daughters, three sons-in-law, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Although she looked the part of any ol’ granny, she lived a storied life characterized by compassion and generosity.

When her grandchildren were young, she would often entertain them with tales about growing up in the Big Apple, where she was raised with her six brothers by Hungarian immigrant parents who spoke only “broken” English. In New York, she lived across the street from the Bronx Zoo, went horseback riding on the shores of Long Island, worked as a teller during a bank heist, saw Frank Sinatra at Radio City Music Hall, and attended drag shows in Greenwich Village.

To this day, her children and grandchildren can recount their favorite story about how she met her late husband, Jack, in 1952 in New York when he was on leave from the military. During their short courtship, Jack was known to drive 24-hours straight from Texas to New York just to take Granny out for a night on the town. During one of those trips, they had a large Hungarian wedding and then moved to Austin.

For 11 years, Granny lived with Paw-Paw in Austin just a few blocks from her in-laws, Mommy and Poppy, and beloved sister-in-law, Elaine McCarty, or Mimi to family and friends. Granny and Mimi remained close throughout Granny’s life. With help from Mimi, Paw-Paw, Mommy, and Poppy, Granny went from city girl to country girl, where she hunted, fished, and learned not to wear a girdle in the Texas heat.

In 1964, Granny moved to Victoria, TX, with Paw-Paw and their three daughters, where she eventually played second mother to many of their friends. Granny’s house was always open to anyone who needed to spend the night or stay for a spell. Shortly after Paw-Paw passed away in 1987, Granny moved in with her oldest daughter’s family, where she lived until her last breath.

While Granny had many talents, driving was not one of them. Although she could often be seen puttering around town, she didn’t get a driver’s license until the early 90’s, when she and her oldest grandson studied for and took their driving test together. Granny also wasn’t known for her baking, even though she could microwave a tasty batch of Texas trash, a family holiday treat. Neither did she sew, knit, or crochet, except for those times when she set her mind to pursuing more “grandmotherly” hobbies.

Truth be told, Granny was more at home in a bingo hall or casino than a kitchen or sewing room. She loved crossword puzzles, movies, and most of all chatting with family and friends. Granny also loved and helped raise her six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to cheer for them on the baseball field, volleyball court, or stage. When she was well, she looked forward to long phone calls and talked to her middle daughter, youngest daughter, and only granddaughter daily—if not more often.

Granny continued to provide an ear and a shoulder for loved ones until dementia prevented her from doing so in August, 2013. As was her wish, she spent her final years, months, and days at home being cared for by her oldest daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. On February 21st, Granny passed peacefully in her own bedroom surrounded by all three of her daughters and her granddaughter. Although she will be deeply missed by all who knew her, her family and friends are happy she no longer suffers.

Survivors include her daughters: Suzanne E. Krejci and husband, Kenneth (Victoria, TX); Jackie Castellanos and husband, Plutarco Castellanos, Jr. (Victoria, TX); Wendy Richter and husband, Ronnie (Victoria, TX); sister-in-law: Elaine Burton McCarty (Austin, TX); brother: Carl Thomas; grandchildren: Christopher J. Krejci (Austin, TX); Deven Richter Grones (Victoria, TX); Justin Richter (Victoria, TX); Kevin Krejci (Lewisville, TX); Collin Krejci (San Antonio, TX); Austin Castellanos (Victoria, TX); great-grandchildren: 8; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph Thomas and Bertha Darling; her spouse: Glenn “Jack” Burton; siblings: Joseph Thomas, Stephen Thomas, John Thomas, Frank Thomas, William Thomas, and Ernest Thomas; and grandson: Cori Burton.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels followed by a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Resurrection Cemetery.

Please join the family for sweets and treats following the inurnment service at Homewood Suites by Hilton, Lodge, 6705 N.E. Zac Lentz Parkway, Victoria, Texas, 77904.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Texas at 605 E. Locust, Victoria, Texas, 77901, or Nazareth Academy Catholic School, 206 West Convent, Victoria, Texas, 77901.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.