Betty Joan Burns

Joann Burns, a long-time resident of the Austin area, died Saturday, November 30, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, Timmy. She is survived by her sons Bruce (Robin) and Richard (Terrie) and her grandsons Robert, Jonathan (Sarah), Greyson, Michael, and Aaron. Betty Joan “Joann” Quisenberry was born on October 9, 1932 in Ryan, OK, to Cash Walker and Mayble Aline Rodgers Quisenberry. When she was very young, Cash moved the family to California. After living in California for only a short time, Joann and her mom moved to Central Texas. Joann was one of the thirteen graduates from Hutto High School in 1950. Soon after graduating high school, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Love Burns. She said Bob was so shy; it took mutual friends to introduce them to each other. They were married on January 31, 1953. Together they had 3 boys - Robert Timothy (July 22, 1955 – passed away a few weeks after birth), Bruce Matthew (June 25, 1958) and Richard Terry (January 19, 1960). She enjoyed working at the University of Texas for over 25 years as an assistant in the English department. She loved the interaction with the students and as a dedicated Longhorn; she enjoyed attending the football games with Bob’s brother, Elton, and his wife, Mary. Joann was dedicated to her friends and family and always looked forward to spending time with all of them. She attended all of her sons, Bruce and Richard’s, activities and sporting events as well as attending the many activities of her grandsons. Friday nights were spent playing dominoes with her close friends and she and Bob would “hit” as many garage sales as possible each Saturday morning. She would come home with her “treasures” of jewelry, Beanie Babies and Barbies while Bob would come home with his “treasures” of all things electronic that he just knew he could “fix”. At one time she had accumulated almost one hundred Barbies, all in the original packaging, as well as just as many Beanie Babies. Joann loved to talk. She never met a stranger and would proudly introduce everyone she met to her sons and grandsons. Not one to sit around the house, she was always ready to go on her next great adventure. She maintained her amazing memory for numbers and dates until the day she died. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 7th, at 9:00am followed by a service at 11:00am at Walnut Creek Baptist Church (12062 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753). The family would like to thank the caregivers of Heart to Heart Hospice and Spanish Oaks Assisted Living for taking such great care of Joann. Memorials can be sent to Heart to Heart Hospice (www.htohhfoundation.org/donation/) or Walnut Creek Baptist Church (www.walnutcreekbc.org).

Betty Joan Burns

October 9, 1932 - November 30, 2019