Gwendolyn M. Burns

She was christened at Miles Chapel CME Church in Tyler, Texas, at an early age. She was a member of the youth choir and youth rushers. Gwendolyn attended Smith County public schools in Tyler.  She was a proud graduate of the historic Emmett J. Scott High School in 1961 and was once first runner-up for Miss Emmett Scott in in her high school years. Gwen then attended Prairie View A&M University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Home Economics education.

During her senior year in college, she married Leslie Adolphus Burns.  To this loving union, the couple was blessed with a girl, Sonya Renee.  Gwen started teaching in Galveston, Texas eventually landing a position at La Marque High School in La Marque, Texas. During her tenure there she advanced her education at Texas Southern University, receiving a Master of Arts in Child Development.  Later, she and Leslie moved to the Houston Clear Lake area where she retired after 45 years of teaching.

Gwen had many creative talents.  She was passionate about entertaining, gardening, dancing, cake decorating, sewing clothes for herself and others, home interior decorating, scrapbooking, and baking.  She loved and owned four fur babies, Chance, Mercedes, Bandit, and Precious during her lifetime.

She was initiated into the Gamma Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated in LaMarque.  After moving to Houston Clear Lake, she was one of the founding members of the Tau Zeta Omega Chapter of AKA Incorporated in Webster and eventually became a Silver Star member/ Life Member of the AKA organization.

Gwen was a member of the Abundant Life Christian Center. She was a member of the church’s seasoned saints Redeemer group.

Gwen is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Leslie, sisters, Linda Gail Brown, Pamela Sue O’Quinn, and Julie Smith. Left to cherish fond memories and her legacy are her daughter Sonya (Sylvester) Ware, a sister Wanda O’Quinn, and a brother Jerry J. Brown, a favorite cousin Ollie Mae Crawford, cherished friends Blonzie Delley, Janet Frater, and Vera Gary, as well as her extended family including hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins, former coworkers, neighbors, and friends.