Helen "Louise" Burney (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Helen Louise Burney, daughter of Lemon Virgil and Helen Lucretia Bruner, was born March 29, 1933, in Yewid, Oklahoma. She departed this life Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Osage Beach Rehabilitation Center, in Osage Beach, Missouri, at the age of eighty-six years, eleven months, and twelve days.
Early in her life she was united in marriage to James Russell Burney, and he passed away in 1986.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Glenda Smith and Carolyne Sellers; a son, Russell Burney; a granddaughter, Carla Jo Paul; a great-grandson, Stephen Thomas; a son-in-law, Jeff Smith; three brothers, Glenn, Steve, and Ronnie Bruner; and a sister, Margie Delaney.
Louise is survived by a daughter, Carla Gibbs, and her husband, Donnie, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Robert Burney, and his wife, Shelly, of Alva, Oklahoma; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Burney, of Lebanon, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Daniel, Donnie, Chris, Sarah, Cassie, Christie, Kevin, Jennifer, Kimberly, Amber, Jamie, and Angela; several great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Cherokee, Oklahoma and graduated from Cherokee High School. She then moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and met her husband in Wichita, Kansas. After they were married, they made their home in several states before eventually settling in Laclede County, Missouri. In the 1970’s, she owned and operated the Dairy Café in Lebanon for three years. Louise then moved back to Oklahoma and Louise was the sheriff’s dispatcher for fifteen years. She returned to Lebanon in the 1990’s and worked as a Library Assistant for Joel E. Barber School and then at Donnelly Elementary School for a number of years.
Louise was a longtime member of South Five Church of Christ in Lebanon, where she was very involved in church work including sending special occasion cards to the members.
She never met a stranger, loved going to garage sales, grew beautiful plants, and collected dolls. She enjoyed helping raise her grandchildren and spending time with her great-grandchildren and had a huge impact on their lives. She was a wonderful lady who loved her family dearly.
Louise was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 13 at 2 p.m. at Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday night, March 12, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
A memorial has been established.
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