Nanella Burnette Gorsuch

We remember with joy Nan Gorsuch, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at home with her friends and family. She was born September 2, 1936 to Jamie Coleman Burnette and Freda Carroll Burnette in Haynesville, Louisiana. After growing up in the Houston area, she met and married James (“Jim”) Gorsuch in 1962. They, with their two boys, Rob and Tom, moved to Lake Jackson in 1968.

Nan was a welcoming hostess with an infectious laugh and a servant’s heart. She, with her husband and friends, made many contributions to the Brazosport area, including being a charter member of Junior Service League, a founding member of the Women’s Lecture Luncheon Series, an active member of the Agape Sunday School Class at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, a supporter of Society of St. Stephen, a charter member of Chapter FW of P.E.O., as well as serving as discussion leader of Bible Study Fellowship, teaching Sunday school and other roles at Chapelwood UMC, president of JSL, and also serving in many leadership roles over her more than 40 years in P.E.O. During her college years at the University of Houston, Nan pledged Chi Omega and remained active in her sorority through most of her life.

In addition to her grandchildren, Nan loved to travel with her friends and family, to read, and to conquer crossword puzzles and Wheel of Fortune challenges. She also used her time and energy to encourage others and to help people in countless and myriad situations. One of her most used sayings was, “I can do that” in response to another’s request for help.

Nan will be missed by her surviving husband, Jim Gorsuch of Lake Jackson, her son Rob Gorsuch and daughter-in-law Gwynn Hanmer Gorsuch of Houston, Tom Gorsuch of Houston, as well as her beloved grandchildren who called her “Nana”: Jackson Gorsuch, Tyler Gorsuch, Claire Gorsuch, Michael Gorsuch, Katherine Gorsuch, and Caroline Gorsuch, all of Houston. Her family will miss her laughter, her hugs, her gentle jokes (usually at her own expense), her unflagging support, as well as her fun and loving nature.

Nan was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John “Sonny” Burnette.

During 2017, Nan and Jim celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary and the high school graduation of their eldest grandchild. Her death was unexpected as this year began, and she handled her sudden illness with dignity, grace and unselfishness.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Restwood Funeral Home, on Plantation Drive. Visitation is at Restwood from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, with a service celebrating her life at 11:00 a.m. at Chapelwood United Methodist Church on Willow Drive, reception following. For those who wish to make donations, the family suggests these organizations that meant so much to Nan: Chapelwood UMC, the Society of St. Stephen, and the Brazoria County SPCA.