Naomi Mathis Burton

Naomi Mathis Burton was born on the 24th of October 1926 to Hawkins Owens Sr. and Emmaline Barrett in Anderson County of Palestine, Texas. She was adored and adopted by her stepfather, Flint R. Mathis, whom she only referred to as “Daddy”. She was the oldest of nine children. She treasured her grandparents, Grant and Cornelia Barrett, who called her “Dinah”. They had an extraordinary love for her and an undeniable impact on her upbringing and ultimately how she led her life, motherhood, and relationships.

Naomi Mathis Burton received a formal education at Brown’s Academy and Flint Hill High School. She is said to have been one of the smartest in her class. She attended Prairie View A&M University and studied Home Economics where African American Women were for the first time allowed to enroll in the 1940s. She also attended Houston Community College and attained a Real Estate Certificate.

Naomi Mathis Burton was baptized in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1969 under Elder C. M. Bailey Sr. at Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was a member of Bellfort Seventh Day Adventist Church, now known as World Harvest Outreach Seventh Day Adventist Church. She loved the Lord with all her heart deliberately and with much intention. She sang in the Berean choir, served in the Food Pantry, assisted with the Adventurer and Pathfinder Clubs on their trips, and attended Sabbath School without exception.

She held a variety of occupations, and many times worked multiple jobs to provide for her family. She is most remembered as a Caregiver to her best friend who quickly became her family, Sarah Barbara Arnold Sterrett, only affectionately known as “Meme”. In her later years, she extended much love to children in the Mother’s Day Out nurseries and other church affiliated childcare programs around Southwest Houston.

She loved fishing at places like Rollover Pass and Crystal Beach, wading out in the waves with her rod and reel. She was happiest catching a Red Snapper, Red Drum, or Rainbow Trout. If she caught a Catfish, that “Hard Head” would find out the hard way why not to get on her line. She was a passionate gardener who maintained gardens year-round with the finest hibiscus and rose bushes of all shades. She also enjoyed playing Bid Whist and working crossword puzzles.

Naomi Mathis Burton is preceded in death by her father, Hawkins Owens Sr, her mother, Emmaline Barrett, her daddy, Flint R. Mathis, four sisters: Margie Owens, Elthenia Winchester, Nora Johnson, Lilianne Mathis Alexander; one brother, Hawkins Owens Jr.; two daughters: JoAnn Mason (Theodore), Freida Burton Owens (Charles); one son, Reginald Johnson; one granddaughter, Courtney Mason; one great grandson, Joshua Jackson; and one special daughter, Ann Randolph Vandervoort.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her sister, Barbara Mathis; her brothers: Lafrederick Mathis, and Rudolph Mathis; her daughter: Hilda Campbell, her sons: Dwight Burton (Vivian), Fred “Tony” Burton (Betty), Darrell Burton (Karen), and James Eric Burton; her beloved special children: Eleanor Davis Reeves (Dave), John Davis, and Mary Lewis Davis (Scott); closest family friends: Mattie Justice, Walter Lemons III, Douglas Robinson, and Sam Young (Renee); 24 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 8th of January, at World Harvest Outreach Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10800 Scott Street in Houston, where the funeral service will commence at Twelve Noon.

The interment will follow, via an escorted cortege at Paradise Cemetery South in Houston.

Immediately following the graveside service, all are invited to greet the family during a repast in the Small Dome of the Church.

Please visit Naomi’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.