Ada Marie Burkley

Ada Marie Montgomery Burkley was born October 7, 1941 in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the youngest of three children born to George and Carrie Montgomery. Ada was a lifelong learner who received her education in her beloved Como community, attending Como Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools, graduating with the Class of 1960. As a student, Ada served as her high school Class Secretary, played saxophone in the band, and first dreamed of becoming an educator. There she also met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Franklin D. Burkley, and to their union they welcomed four children ~ Debra, Cynthia, James, and Sharon. Although their union ended, their united love and support for their children never did.

Ada attended Texas Southern University for two years following high school graduation and completed her education with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. Soon after, she began her teaching career with the Fort Worth Independent School District at Dunbar Junior High School (1967-1971), followed by W.C. Stripling Middle School (1971 – 1989), and ending at Meadowbrook Middle School when she retired in 1998.

Ada began her spiritual journey as a young girl at Como First Missionary Baptist Church, and as a young lady joined Greater Strangers Rest Baptist Church, where she served in several capacities including working in the Finance Department, serving as a Sunday School teacher and in the Women’s Mission group, and sang in the choir. In her latter years, she joined with Rising Star Baptist Church where she served faithfully until the Lord called her home.

Ada loved to spend time with her family and friends, travel, work crossword puzzles, and watch movies. She was also an active member of the AARP Southeast Chapter #4508 where she previously served as President, Vice President, and on various committees. She was immensely proud of her children and was an ardent support of them in all of their various endeavors. Early in the wee hours of Monday, July 22, 2024, with a praise in her heart, the Lord called Ada from her earthly home to eternity. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Carrie Montgomery; brother, George Alfred Montgomery; sister, Sandra Louise Thomas; and her infant children, Cynthia and James.

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughters, Sharon Burkley (Ontario) and Debra Burkley; nieces, Roslyn Williams (Melvin), Charlotte Roberts (Andrew), Cheryl Gibson, Erica Robinson, Tiffany Strickland; special bonus family members, Denise Mills, David Blackshear (Kirsten), and London Johnson; cousins, Clyde Montgomery, Thomas L. Gort, Sr., and Robert Mennefee; close personal friends, Connie Russell, Arie Harris and Irene Brown; her Como, Strangers Rest, and Rising Star families, and a host of other relatives and friends.