Sarah Jo Ester Burns

On a winter day, March 5, 1942, the Lord brought into this world a beautiful bouncing baby girl to the parentage of Bailey and Mary Elizabeth Belcher Keaton in Coolidge (Limestone), Texas. They named her Sarah Jo Ester Keaton.

Sarah attended Echols Elementary School in Coolidge, Texas. As a teenager, Sarah Jo followed her older siblings and moved to Dallas. She went on and graduated from Lincoln High School. After high school, she attended Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.

After attending Southwestern, she returned to Dallas and began working at Vick’s Restaurant. While working there, she met the man of her dreams and the love of her life, Mr. McArthur Lee Burns. On Saturday, June 5, 1965, the two became one for almost sixty years. Aunt Sarah was a kind and humble woman who cherished her family and friends. She often traveled to her hometown in Sandy Community, Limestone County, Texas, to fish and reminisce. Every year from the 1950s to the 1980s, she celebrated Juneteenth at Comanche Crossing in Mexia, long before it became a national holiday.

Sister Sarah Jo Keaton accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Lawrence and Marder Church of Christ and moved with the congregation to Marsalis Avenue. She worked as a dependable and loyal secretary to the congregation for over forty years. She loved her job, and it was shown by her dedication.

The Netherly Family Reunion honors the memory of Sarah Burns. Because of her love for family and her commitment to service, serving as the Treasurer of the Netherly Family reunion was one job that she took immense pride and care in performing. She made sure that all financial accounts were reconciled to the penny. Sarah will always be remembered as a kind, loving, selfless person. She was soft-spoken, never harsh, or angry. She loved and was loved. She enjoyed every year of the reunion and lived a good life. We were blessed to have the best Treasurer for our Family Reunion, and she will be deeply missed.

After her retirement, Sarah Jo worked with the Pillow Ministry and loved playing bingo during the Senior Citizens activities. Sister Sarah was known by her church members, family, and friends for cooking her Sock-It-To- Me cake and Pecan pie.

Mrs. Sarah Burns' mother and father preceded her in death, as well as eight sisters and eight brothers: Mrs. Leola Marie Keaton, Mrs. Stella Keaton, Mrs. Geraldine Davis, Mrs. Ruth McGilbra, Ms. Elnora (Jenny) Keaton, Mrs. Della E. Keaton Morgan, Mrs. Margaret Lawson, Ms. Iley Keaton, Mr. Houston Keaton, Mr. Leon Stanley Keaton, Mr. Willie Murel Keaton, Rev Joe Bailey Keaton, Rev March Harold Keaton, Mr. Freddie Keaton, Mr. Harold Keaton and Mr. Wiley Keaton.

She leaves to cherish her unforgettable memories; her husband McArthur Burns, niece that they help raise Lisa Collins Haynes (Chris) and a great-niece Taighlor Haynes, sister-in-law’s Mae Frances Keaton (Hutchins, TX), Purline Mitchell (Dallas), Betty Thompson (Richardson, TX), Annie Hooper (Dallas), Mary Ann Hooper (Dallas), Beulah D. Thomas (Willie) (Longview, TX), Evelyn G. Daniels (Longview, TX) and a host of loved nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

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