Heaven gained another Angel, Alice Burroughs left this World on January 19th, 2021, to join the love of her life, Ralph Burroughs. Alice was inspired by this man and together they built a wonderful life, successful businesses, a loving family, and a legacy that will last for generations to come.
Alice Sawyer Burroughs was born in Vandalia, Illinois to Earl Sawyer and Violet Nettleton on October 1st, 1921. Alice’s mother Violet died at a very young age and Alice and her brother Earl went to live with their Grandparents Henry and Alice Sawyer in Ellery, Illinois, when Alice was 8 years old. Her sister Bessie was raised by their Aunt in Conover, Illinois. Alice experienced so many wonderful things living with her Grandparents; from stories of old, reliving the times of wagons crossing the plains, to her love of flowers that graced her Grandmother’s garden. While attending Albion High School, she met Ralph Burroughs through a blind date which led to many years of love, laughter and adventure. They were married for 65 years.
Alice and Ralph had two daughters, Connie and Vicki, who accompanied their parents on many adventures, and brought great joy to their lives. Alice and Ralph settled in Houston where they established themselves in the business world. Alice was involved in the businesses with Ralph during a time when women stayed home. Not Alice, she was an active and important participant. Together they established one of Houston’s first “used Television” stores on Washington Avenue and later built television tubes at their Tex-Video factory located in the Heights.
Art was an important part of Alice’s life. In 1966, she joined the Houston Conservative Art Club known today as the Houston Art Society, and through this affiliation achieved a great accomplishment. In 1967 when Lyndon Johnson became President, an artist was brought in to paint his portrait. Johnson hated the portrait and claimed that it was the “Ugliest thing I ever saw”, and refused it. All the art clubs were painting his portrait, and when Alice completed hers’, a snapshot of it was sent to Lady Bird Johnson. She received a letter back from Lady Bird stating that if Alice would send her painting to them, they would hang it. Lady Bird told her that she had placed her painting of Lyndon Johnson in the Texas House of Representatives office in Washington, D.C, where it remains to this day. Alice was President of the Houston Art Society from 1977-1978, and her love of art and painting lasted throughout her life. She was President of the National League of Pen Women, and a member of the Daughters of the Nile.
Alice remained active in the business and art world, but still made time for her family and friends. She helped raise her grandson, Charles Ralph, who learned the construction business from Alice and Ralph, but gained much more than business sense. He learned how to treat others and how to love someone unconditionally, qualities that they exhibited throughout their lives. They always helped others; those who had no family became a part of Ralph and Alice’s family. Ralph and Alice never met a stranger.
Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Violet Sawyer, husband Ralph Burroughs, grandson Charles Ralph Johnson, sister Bessie Grunke, brother Earl Sawyer, nephew Jack Cassidy and niece Tally Hayward. She leaves behind her daughters Vicki and Connie Burroughs, granddaughter Jame’ Whaley and family, granddaughter-in-law Michelle Johnson, Carole Cassidy, nephew John Cassidy and family, nieces Vianna Bruce and Lynne Felton. Her passing is such a great loss and she will be missed forever. Our family wishes to express our sincere appreciation to Bo Gay who helped care for our Mother.
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