Barbara M Morrison

Heaven gained an angel on November 10th, 2021 when our beloved mother and grandmother, Barbara Gale McCarthy Morrison went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her unconditional love and lifelong devotion to her children and grandchildren will be in our hearts forever.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Georgia and Daniel McCarthy. She is survived by her three children, Daniel (Cal) Burnham, Jaime Burnham and Susan Burnham; grandchildren, Bailey, Benjamin, Macy and Ainsley Burnham and Raiden and Mya Edwards, as well as her beloved pet, Annie. Her legacy will long live on in her children and grandchildren and we are eternally grateful to have so many memories and life lessons from our sweet Mom and Meemaw.

Barbara grew up in San Antonio until moving to Houston at the age of 10 and graduating from Lamar High School. She would go on to attend the University of Houston and join the Phi Mu Sorority as well as become a U of H cheerleader and eventually earn her Bachelor of Arts in 1972. She would go on to teach for many years before deciding to further her education and earned her Masters of Education from University of Houston. She had a deep love for her Alma Mater and would frequently take her children to visit the campus and even see the Cougar Mascot, Shasta. She was very proud of her accomplishments at the University of Houston. She would continue her love and passion for teaching for many years and even founded the Gifted and Talented program at Houston Independent School District. She would even serve several years as PTO President and left her mark within the education system.

Barbara’s athletic success is one that should not be forgotten and will be talked about by her family for generations to come. She was gifted at ballet as a young child, excelled as an ice skater, but dominated the U.S as a diver. As a teen and young adult, she competed at a high level as an ice skater. She met her first husband, Jon Douglas, on the ice rink. She won many ice skating competitions on her own but also competed in couples ice dancing. Her diving accolades are one for the record books. For many years she won local, regional, state and national diving titles in the 1m and 3m events. She held 11 AAU Junior Olympic Gold Medals and would eventually win a National U.S. title securing a spot on the U.S. National Diving Team. An injury would keep her from competing again, but she would be remembered in the swimming and diving world for decades to come.

Barbara would eventually marry Jon Douglas Burnham and they would have three children together. Daniel Callaway, Jaime Carole and Susan Elizabeth. She devoted the rest of her life unselfishly to the wellbeing and happiness of her children. She was always the first to step up for her children even as they became adults. She never put herself first, it was always her children and she would never let it be any other way.

Barbara was a life-long member of the Episcopal Church. She made sure her kids attended every Sunday even through some of them didn’t want to (no names mentioned). She was a member of the church choir for over 20 years, even though her kids teased her that she couldn’t sing. The Church and the church choir would become her 2nd family. She hosted church parties every year and knew and loved every member of her church. Her love for the church and ministry would be carried down to her youngest daughter, Susan, who would become an ordained Episcopal Minister. Nothing made Barbara prouder. Barbara would even earn her Education For Ministry Certification from the University of the South (Sewanee, Tennessee) and very frequently would enjoy deep conversations with her daughter-in-law, Shawna, over many theological subjects. They both cherished those deep conversations.

Later in her career, Barbara found a passion for family law and would work as a paralegal up until her passing. She loved learning about the practice and would frequently print out articles on family law and read it at home in her spare time. Her final days on this earth she was in a very happy place at her job. She was blessed to have found such a loving and caring team to work with. Her family is eternally grateful that her final days were filled with joy in her career. A special thanks to the special friends in her life, Carol Rowe from the age of 3, Kay Kay Lawler from her early years and Thuy Cao most of her adult life. You all hold a special place in our family.

It was no secret that Barbara’s pride and joy were her three children. But the moment she became a grandmother she found a new love that would steal her heart and soul. She lived her life through the eyes of her angels, Bailey, Benjamin, Macy, Ainsley, Raiden and Mya. When we think of our beloved mom, we can’t help but think of her overwhelming love for her grandchildren. Her own children used to tease her about which one of them was her favorite, but we all knew once her grandchildren were born, it was clearly them and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Mom, we will all miss you dearly, and we will struggle on earth without you. But rest in peace knowing that your legacy is strong. You live on in all of us every day. You were brilliant, beautiful, humble, kind and selfless. Our hearts are missing a huge piece and we can’t wait to see your angel face again one day. I hope you are wrapped in the arms of your Mom, Daddy and Lord and Savior. Until we see you again, you are loved and we are proud to be your legacy.