Juanita Huddleston Burk

Juanita Huddleston Burk, longtime resident of Ballinger, passed away Friday, February 6, 2009 at Kindred Hospital/Rehabilitation Center in Arlington. She was 97.

She was born to Robert Lee and Lena Golden Parker Huddleston on January 7, 1912 in Runnels County, Texas at the family farm house near Ballinger. Her wedding was performed at that same farm house on June 6, 1946 when she married Orval Lee Burk. He preceded her in death April 11, 1984. In March 2005 the Texas Department of Agriculture 30th Annual Family Land Heritage Program recognized the Huddleston Farm for 100 years or more of continuous land ownership and agriculture production by the same family.

She attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, receiving an A.B. Degree in May 1938 and in July 1958 an M.Ed. Degree in Education and English. From 1937 until 1952 she taught in Paint Rock, Eden, Eagle Branch, and Sonora schools. She then taught second grade in Ballinger until her retirement in 1992, giving her a teaching career of over 50 years. She will long be remembered as a devoted educator with former students nationwide. Following retirement she continued to manage rental property and ranch land leases. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, Cecil Winford Huddleston.

Mrs. Burk is survived by her daughter, Dr. Telena Wright and husband, Tommy Wright, of Flower Mound; grandson, Tad Landon Wright, and wife, Tracy Ann Lauritzen Wright, of Memphis, Tennessee; granddaughter, Tena Lenise Wright of Seattle, Washington; and great-granddaughter, Anna Rossie Lauritzen Wright.

There will be a time of visitation for family and friends on Saturday, February 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home Chapel in Ballinger. Funeral services will be Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Ballinger with Bro. Bobby Broyles officiating. Burial will follow in Ballinger Evergreen Cemetery.