Burnette J. Boyett

Burnette Jurica Boyett departed her earthly home to join her Lord and Savior on January 21, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband T. P. Boyett, parents Frank Joseph & Lillie Rose Chernosky Jurica, her sisters Pauline Pearson and Justine Rivoire.

Burnette was born November 15, 1924 in Rosenberg, Texas where she attended kindergarten through high school. She attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College, the University of Colorado and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston.

A highlight of her young life was time spent on the home front during World War II. She felt an urgency to participate in the war effort in some small way. Burnette temporarily postponed her college education after her freshman year to perform secretarial work at North American Aviation in Grand Prairie, Texas in the B-25 bomber and P-51 fighter manufacturing plants. This was a most meaningful and exciting time for a 17 year old young woman. At the end of the war, she returned home to complete her education and married the love of her life, T. P. Boyett.

Their married life began in Bryan, Texas before accommodations at Texas A & M University were available. Burnette worked as Deputy District Clerk and Secretary to the District Attorney in Brazos County. After the couple secured campus housing, she was employed at the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Upon completion of her husband’s education, the couple returned to Bellaire and later to Houston where both were employed.

A lifetime member of her beloved Bellaire Presbyterian Church, now Christ Church Presbyterian, Burnette served in all aspects of women’s ministry. She taught elementary Sunday School, led the Women’s Bible Class and co-chaired the Fellowship and Stewardship Committees with her husband. She served as Bible Moderator and was dedicated to the Word of God. She enjoyed Bible Moderator Retreats at the Presbyterian Conference Center at Mo-Ranch, in the Texas Hill Country. Burnette was instrumental in the organization of Wednesday Night Dinners in 1972 and volunteered there for many years.

Burnette also cherished work spent with daughters in Brownies, Girl Scouts, time with their son in Boy Scouts and organizations where her children were involved. She and T. P. enjoyed volunteering with CCSC for Meals on Wheels, the Jingle Bell Express and had several years of pleasure with the Tanglefooters Square Dancers. It was also their privilege to be among the founding members of The Czech Center Museum Houston.

She held life-time memberships in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Bellaire #1021 Order of the Eastern Star and especially enjoyed the privilege serving as the National Chaplain with the 30th Infantry Division and 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team Auxiliaries. Burnette cherished her position as National Auxiliary President.

Burnette’s greatest joy and top priority was treasured time celebrating special events of birthdays, wedding anniversaries and travel with her precious family. Happy family memories were made at summer retreats at the Presbyterian Assembly of Mo-Ranch. Among favorite hobbies were needlepoint and counted cross stitch for family and friends. She always had several books going simultaneously as she was a voracious reader. Her azaleas were her special pride in gardening which she insisted thrived on neglect, with God’s care, and not her own.

She earned her Amateur Radio License, K5JGC, from the Federal Communications Commission, membership of 50 years, with positions in the Houston Quarter Century Association, the Houston Amateur Radio Club #27 and the Gulf Coast Young Ladies Amateur Radio League. She and T. P. maintained AARL membership and shared their enthusiasm with “ham” friends.

More lifetime memories were made, stateside and overseas tours, with T. P.’s military organizations: the 30th Infantry Division and Battle of the Bulge Veterans. Her lifetime memberships with the Houston Aggie Moms and RABBITS were special as she was an avid Aggie supporter all of her life, with special pride of the family’s long legacy of Texas A&M University graduates.

Burnette is survived by her children Diane & Jess Montfort, Thomas Jr & Barbara Boyett and Carol & Andrew Ballard. Grandchildren Stephanie & Taylor Gahm, Ellen Montfort, Philip Ballard, Jordan Boyett, Tyler & Geneva Boyett and Benjamin Boyett, and finally, great granddaughters Zoe and Vera Gahm along with many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Christ Church Presbyterian on Bellaire Blvd. or Czech Center and Museum Houston.