Texanna Burton

Texanna Dillingham Burton was born January 23, 1945. She was the youngest of 10 children. She was born to Wilson and Lula Dillingham. She was preceded in death by her spouse (Vencil A. Burton), and siblings: Wilson, Isaiah, Phyllis, Lula, Mary, Jennie, Marie, and Mack. She is survived by her sister Ruth Hughes of Corpus Christi Tx.(brother in law Bob Hughes) Bay City was a small segregated town in South TX. There was one school for all primary grades 1 – 12 - Hilliard HS, which Texanna and her siblings graduated from . She attended Wharton Jr. college after high school, but after 1 year she married Vencil Burton at the age of 19, and would continue her education years later. Texanna was always “grown” for her age. Bossy and spoiled is how she could be described as a child. As an adult, she was confident, intelligent, and organized. A meticulous housekeeper, and a woman of high standards. She and Vencil had a close and loving union. Vencil was outgoing, and she was reserved, but together they balanced each other and supported each other in every endeavor. They were married for 40 years until his passing in 2005. To their union were three children: Vencil A. Burton II, Stephanie Burton (Overstreet), and Monica Burton (Cross). She is survived by her in-laws: Randy & Valerie Burton (Tucson Arizona), and Jeneene and Ron Flakes (Houston Tx). She is further survived by her son in laws: Daven Overstreet, and Vallo Cross Jr., and former daughter in law Tiffany Burton. Her grandchildren: Dezee Overstreet, Dori Overstreet, Teyanna Cross, Aniyah Burton, and Alyvia Burton. Two step granddaughters, Paige Wigenton & Brooklyn Jones.

She has a host of relatives residing in: Fort Worth, Arlington, Forney, Houston, Corpus Christi, Katy, Sugarland, Richmond, Spring Tx., San Antonio, College Station, Bay City, Montgomery Alabama, Tuskegee Alabama, California & Virginia. She is also survived by her childhood best friend Ms. Willie Mae Davis.

Texanna was a homemaker and after her children became of age, she went back to college and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a certification in elementary education from TX. Wesleyan University in Fort Worth Tx., where she made the Dean’s list every semester. She went on to teach special education at IM Pate Elementary school for several years until her husband became ill, after which she took early retirement and became his primary caretaker.

Texanna became a Christian in her youth. She responded to the gospel under the preaching of the late Bro. Eddie Brinkley of Wharton Tx. (recently deceased in December 2022), and her affiliation with the Church of Christ began. Her husband, Vencil was a gospel preacher serving the Eastland St. Church of Christ for 24 years until his health began to decline and he retired in 1999. Prior to his retirement, she worked faithfully by his side at the Eastland congregation. Together, they visited the sick and shut in, taught evangelism through the OBS program, created the “Youth Extravaganza”, door knocked in the community, and other activities as a couple. She worked most notably with the Ladies ministries, which included the annual – Ladies Day Program. The Ladies day program was a labor of love and seemed to increase in participation year by year. Fabulous presenters, skits, classroom presentations, banquet lunch, and fellowship was enjoyed by all. After becoming a widow, she placed membership at the Forest Hill Church of Christ under brother Emmanual White for several years and then later when she preferred to be at a smaller congregation, she transferred membership to the Richmond Avenue Church of Christ under Bro. Victor Norris. Both of these ministers were very nurturing and supportive while she was at their respective congregations. Throughout her life: she had affiliations with several congregations: Mitchell Blvd. Church of Christ (Fort Worth), Baytown Church of Christ (Baytown Tx,) & Moore Ave. Church of Christ (Bay City Tx.). She leaves behind a host of brothers and sisters in the faith.

Texanna was faithful for as long as she was able to be until her health began to decline due to Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Texanna was loved and adored by her spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, and special friends. She leaves her family and friends with a legacy of faithfulness and integrity. Texanna was beautiful inside and outside! She will be greatly missed. She was dignified and carried herself like a queen!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Burton family.