Norma Jean Burkham-Humphrey

Norma Jean Burkham-Humphrey, 82, passed away peacefully at Memorial Hermann the Woodlands, Texas. A visitation will be held Friday, October 1, 2021 from 5 PM to 8 PM at Forest Park East, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598.

Norma Jean, known as Jeanie, was born in her Grandmother’s log home on March 28, 1939 to her parents, who preceded her in death, Leslie and Edith Shaw from Atlanta, Louisiana. At age 13, she moved to Baytown, Texas. Jeanie graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in May of 1957.

On November 27, 1957, she married the love of her life and soulmate, Walter Lee Burkham for 34 years before preceding her in death in 1992. Walter and Jeanie shared a life-time of love, so many friends, raising their children, becoming grandparents and enjoying their distinguished careers as Houston Policers Officers, they were once named, “Mr. and Mrs. Cop” in an article written about them.

Jeanie joined the Houston Police Academy on November 11, 1974 and graduated March 6, 1975, two weeks short of her 36th birthday. She was one of the first female Officers to be assigned to work the streets - she was assigned to the accident division for 5 years and being one of the first females to wear the male uniform and carry the 357 magnum pistol. Jeanie loved being an Officer of the Law and was fortunate to transfer and work in Community Services and Personnel Division for 10 years. She was awarded twice the North Channel Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and was a guest speaker numerous times speaking on rape prevention and criminal justice at Southwest Texas State University now known as Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Due to an injury on duty she received a 20 year disability retirement March 12, 1988.

Jeanie remarried in 1994 to Martin Gene Humphrey and gained a step-daughter. They were married for 20 years before preceding her in death in 2013. Gene and Jean, as they were known, traveled the country with their RV travel club, Good Sam’s “Slow-Pokes.”

Jeanie’s love for traveling took her many places including during her police career to Europe as the bodyguard for a Saudi Arabian Princess. She loved adventures and loved to be adventurous.

Jeanie is survived by her one brother, Weyman Shaw, sister-in-law JoAnn, niece and nephews, Leigh Ann, Frank (preceded in death) and Tracy; her children, Jeffery Lee Burkham and wife, Amy, Susan (Burkham) Miller, and husband, Henry, Sharon (Burkham) Robison, and husband, Vince, and step-daughter, Donna Humphrey Masterson.

Also survived by her loving ten (10) grandchildren, Christina (Burkham) Noblitt, Ryan Burkham, Sami (Burkham) Wissler, Daniel Martinez, Emily Martinez, Benjamin (BJ) Miller, Brittany (Miller) Terrebonne, Kayla (Robison) Rucker, Kara Robison, and Kati Robison.

And lastly, survived by her precious sixteen (16) great-grandchildren, Brenna and Jace Noblitt, Aiden and Zyla Burkham, Andrew Wissler, Kale and Aubrey Martinez, Ella and Nora Morales, Ally and Reece Miller, Jordan Nethercutt, Jolie and Reed Terrebonne, Levi and Everly Rucker.

Jeanie had once written: Psalms 23 is my favorite verse in the Bible. It is my calming prayer and reminder that Jesus also dwells in the valleys with us. It reminds me that all my needs are met and that I have a purpose in my walk and a future in eternity with God. I am thankful for my family, friends, my two husbands and mostly that God is good all the time.