Clara "Jonell" Burnham

Clara Jonell Burnham was born June 4, 1931, in San Saba, TX, and died Saturday evening, August 23, 2014, at Texas Harris Methodist Hospital, Cleburne, Texas. Jonell was 83 years old. She was the eldest daughter of four children of Clarence “Red” and Oneida (Gage) Roy of San
Saba, Texas. Jonell was a graduate of San Saba High School in 1948. After graduation, Jonell married Jack W. Burnham on June 11, 1948. The newlywed couple spent their first summer together following the wheat harvest from Texas to South Dakota where Jonell learned to drive by moving wheat trucks from field to field. In addition to other farming and ranching work in San Saba throughout the first few years of their marriage, Jack with crew, trucks, and combines continued to follow the wheat harvest for several summers with Jonell as the crew cook.
Jonell and Jack continued farming and ranching and made their home in San Saba, Texas from 1948 – 1964 where they gave birth to 3 children: Mary, Peggy, and Dale. In 1964, Jack and Jonell relocated the family to Cleburne, Texas, where Jack, with Jonell at his side, engaged in self employment - their last and favorite venture of 20 years was owner/operators of the Western Auto Associate Store at 111 South Main in Cleburne.
Surviving are Jonell’s spouse, Jack W. Burnham, and children: Mary Ann Hayden and husband, Dean, and children: Matt Burton of McKinney, TX; Ross Hayden of Topeka, KS; Phil Hayden and wife, Lelia, of Topeka, KS; Mary Elizabeth and husband, Alan Durham, and sons, Hayden and Owen, of Olathe, KS; Peggy Lynn Shimp and husband, Steve, and son, Ryan Shimp, all of Ponca City, OK; and Dale Burnham of Pembroke Pines, FL and son, Eric Burnham, of Ft. Worth, TX. Jonell is also survived by two sisters, Peggy Jean Woods and Nana Sue Laird and husband, Ernest; and one brother, Billy George “Buddy” and wife, Margie Roy, all of Seguin, TX.
Jonell devoted her life in love and service to her family, her spouse and their businesses, and her gardening. She had a strong love of God and lived her faith in love and service to others. Jonell loved to cook large dinners for her family at holidays or any day. Her loss will be great, but her love of family and children will endure in her children and grandchildren.
A Cleburne visitation will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2014 at Rosser Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at San Saba’s First Baptist Church (208 W. Wallace Street, 76877) at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, with a visitation from 1 p.m. - 2p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Shaw Bend Cemetery, San Saba County, TX.
Please send donations in memory of Clara Jonell Burnham to the First Baptist Church Children’s Ministry of San Saba, TX, at 208 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, TX 76877.