Dewey County Obituary
Sunnyside Cemetery

aka Vici

Leora Burns

2 Oct 1915 - 12 Feb 2011

© Woodward News
February 17, 2011
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Woodward, Okla. — Leora Annabelle (Landon) Burns was born on the family farm southwest of Mutual on October 2, 1915, and passed on to eternal rest on February 12, 2011, at Vici, Oklahoma. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Leora was the eldest of the three daughters born to George Alfred and Zetta Ellenbelle (Borden) Landon, and the eldest granddaughter of James and Sarah Borden. She grew to adulthood in an extended family of parents, sisters, grandparents, six aunts and uncles, cousins, and numerous dear friends in the Mutual area. She attended grade school at Sibel, and then graduated high school at Mutual as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1933.

On June 8, 1935, at the height of the Great Depression, Leora was united in marriage to Frank Ezra Burns of Vici. Initially, they made their home west of Vici with Frank’s parents, Will and Etta Burns, where Frank was already engaged in farming and ranching with his father. Later on, they made their home on various rental farms in the Mutual area. In 1947, they purchased their farm east of Vici, and moved there in 1948. To this union, two sons were born—George Dale and Jimmie Lee. These sons grew to manhood here on the family farm, assisting their parents in their endeavors. Both sons are graduates of Vici High School and received their college degrees before entering their chosen fields of interest.

Leora was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Vici where she was a dedicated Sunday school teacher and church treasurer for many years. She was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star, holding many offices including Worthy Matron. Additionally, Leora was active in the Vici Public Schools as a Band Booster, helping plan for numerous Mardi Gras celebrations in Vici.

Leora loved to keep busy, and enjoyed her home, gardening and cooking for others. She especially enjoyed feeding her grandchildren and their friends. Most of all, she loved this community, this area of Oklahoma, and her many friends gathered from spending a lifetime in the area. While she enjoyed traveling, she was always happiest to get home.

Leora was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Frank, in 1990, one sister, Leila (Babe) Lawrence in 1995, and two brothers-in-law, Henry Jones and Walter Lawrence. She is survived by her two sons, George Burns and his wife, Sharon of Vici, and Jim Burns and his wife, Reginna, of Potomac, Maryland; by one sister, Leah Jones, of Vici and one sister-in-law, Ruth Burns of Woodward; by two grandchildren, Julie Cason, and her husband Bo, of Woodward, and Will Burns, and his wife, Natasha of Shattuck; by two great-granddaughters, Callie and Cecelia Cason of Woodward; by numerous nephews and nieces, great-nieces, nephews and cousins, other loved ones and a host of friends.

Funeral Services were held Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the First Baptist Church, Vici, Oklahoma with burial following in Vassar Cemetery. Services arranged by Shaw Funeral Home, Vici, Oklahoma. Condolences may be made to the family and Video Tribute viewed at shawfuneralhome.net.