Helen Fletcher Fletcher Burnette

Helen May Fletcher was born September 11, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Robert Morris and Ruth Brock Fletcher. Born with curly red hair and bright blue eyes, Helen was soon joined by younger sisters Frannie, Judy, and Bobbie. Wearing spectacles and a sunny disposition, she learned early the wonders of books, reading, and developed a lifelong thirst for knowledge and truth.

The Fletchers moved from Oklahoma to Louisiana, where Helen graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1951. She married Lawrence Ray Burnette on January 26, 1952 in Opelousas, Louisiana, with the bride’s maternal grandfather, the Reverend JB Brock, officiating. Helen graduated with honors from Northwestern State University in 1959, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education.

After raising children Valerie, Summerlin, Margaret, Jonathan, and David overseas and in Louisiana and Tennessee, the Burnette family settled in Austin, Texas in 1970. Going back to work, Helen held interesting jobs that usually did not pay very well, but generated lifelong friendships. Working as a teacher at Greenbriar School, Director of Religious Education at First UU, Wheatsville Food Cooperative, and at University of Texas, Helen honed her considerable communication skills.

An inspired conversationalist, speaker, and even more inspiring teacher, she was an accepting, non-judgmental friend to all. Sitting with her head tilted, she would listen. She was a great listener. And then talk! Helen loved reading, impressionist art, philosophical discourse, native plants, and organic gardening; she found digging, pulling weeds, and cutting plants back particularly rewarding.

She was a fervent feminist, and a staunch friend of the environment, and liberal democratic politics. Helen believed that justice was possible NOW. As a member of several groups including AMBIS, Sunflower, Book Club, TARAL, NARAL, Womens Saturday Morning Group and more, Helen found a spiritual home in her beloved churches, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Wildflower Church, and Appemada Buddhist Group.

This quotation from Buddha defined Helen’s quest: “No one becomes enlightened alone.”

And in her own words “We become the environment for the enlightenment for each other; for me it happens in the challenge of deep thought, from others’ guidance who share their experiences for my, that is our, benefit. Others bring friendship and fun. Many give comfort when it is needed. Being a church for each other means we can be much more effective in our efforts to spread justice in the world, and to expand the reach of our love to many.”

Helen is preceded in death by the father of her children, Lawrence Burnette. She is survived by sisters Frances Brantley, Judith Rushton, Bobbie Fletcher and their families; Children Valerie Burnette, Summerlin Burnette, Margaret Burnette, Jonathan Burnette, and David Burnette; Grandchildren Heather (Huckie) Chamblee, Katherine (Burnette-Hughes) Morrow, Aaron Burnette, Jacob Burnette, Nathan Burnette; Great-grandchildren Melanie, Brendan, and Taylor Deutsch, and a host of loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, Helen requested donations be made in her honor to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).

Services were held on November 25th, 2pm to 5pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin. 4700 Grover Ave., Austin, Tx 78756.