Note: This is late, but I have encountered problems in formatting, inability to post pictures, and just trying to make this blog visually more appealing.  Am working on the issues.  More soon (no definition of soon) with hopes to post pictures of the April lunch.

Remembering Dixie Burd

Dixie Burd passed away recently.  Her obituary follows.  I remember Dixie from around nine or ten.  I don’t know recall where she went to elementary school, but we both went to Travis Park Methodist Church growing up.

One of the last times I visited with Dixie  was when I went by her home to pick up some letters she had addressed prior to our last big reunion.  She showed me a photo from those very early Travis Park days and identified some kids (then) who graduated with us.  Sadly, the only one I recall just now is Dick Brusenhan.  Dick just did not change at all from kindergarten to high school, except for getting taller.

Dixie Lee Burd

July 30, 1936-April 20, 2018

Dixie Lee Burd, age 81, passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Carrolton, Texas. Dixie was born in Amarillo, Texas to Elmer Leslie Burd and Frances Wallis on July 30, 1936. Dixie was a native of San Antonio but made the decision to move to Rockwall 2 years ago to be closer to family due to her failing health.

Dixie graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&I, Kingsville in 1958. Dixie completed her Master of Science from A&I in 1970. Dixie taught school at Northeast ISD in San Antonio for 14 years and served there for 19 years as an Assistant Athletic Director (first female ever in that position). The title was a milestone for Dixie due to her hard work and positive attitude relative to Title IX, which was the beginning for girls in athletics.

Prior to teaching at Northeast, she was employed in Orange Grove for 2 years and lived in a “teacherage”. A teacherage is a house provided by the school, rent and utilities included. The kicker was that it was a garage apartment in the principal’s backyard. Needless to say, she did not stay in that apartment the second year!

Dixie retired from teaching and as an administrator in 1993. On the 30th anniversary of Title IX, she was chosen as one of the 30 most influential South Texans in women’s sports by the San Antonio Express News. What a big surprise that was for Dixie as she was reading the morning paper and drinking her coffee!

An avid Spurs fan, she spent one year as a Baseline Bum supporting her beloved San Antonio Spurs and attended all the home games for that season.

Dixie loved travelling and outdoor activities. She enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, mountain climbing at Yosemite National Park, camping in tents at Rocky Mountain National Park, camping at Yellowstone in an RV more than once and stayed at a bed and breakfast at Acadia National Park with a Maine Coon cat that was huge!

Dixie loved travelling across the border to Mexico from Laredo and long trips to Mexico City, Cancun and Acapulco. Texas State Parks were also a love in her life, scattered from one end of Texas to the other. She loved traveling to Alaska where she saw moose, bears, elk and even an eagle. Minnesota became her eagle haven as well as her fishing haven. What great fun she had, along with great proof with photos that showed her skills and great catches, which she then released for someone else to have a great fishing day!

Dixie is survived by a host of cousins and friends who are left to cherish a lifetime of memories. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Frances Burd; Godparents, Buford and Frances Crawford; Cousin, Julie Ellis; Cousin, Beckie Collins and several beloved grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Graveside services will be Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:00am at Mission Burial Park North 20900 IH 10 West San Antonio, Texas 78257.

A reception will follow at the home of Barbara Gray and Jan Dupree. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

You may sign the guest book at http://www.porterloring.com