Elnora Burnim Huntley passed away peacefully on November 5, 2018 with family at her side. Elnora was born to Briscoe and Gatha Burnim on December 26, 1921 in Nacogdoches, Texas where she went to school and grew up with her three sisters and two brothers. Elnora married Walter Huntley, Sr in 1947. For 62 years, they lovingly shared an abundantly blessed life that produced two sons: Walter Jr. (Butch) and David, who were raised in San Antonio. Elnora was an active member of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time reading her Bible and participating in women’s groups. She loved to cook and sew and listen to gospel hymns. Elnora enthusiastically engaged in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and she took great pride in their academic and athletic successes and their career achievements. Elnora leaves behind to mourn her passing her sons Walter Jr (Joanne) of Atlanta, GA, and David (Tracey) of Dallas, TX, three grandchildren, Tyeise Huntley Jones (Daryl) of Chicago, IL, Cal Huntley of Los Angeles, CA and Porter Huntley of Dallas, TX, two great grandchildren, Justice Walter Jones and Chancellor David Jones of Chicago, IL and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Elnora’s beloved husband, Walter Sr., her parents, Briscoe and Gatha Burnim, her sisters Nadine (“Nay”), Louise and Margaret, and her brothers, Arzo and Cleavel, all predeceased her.
The Huntley family will receive family and friends at a Celebration of Life on Friday, November 9, 2018 between 5 pm and 7 pm at the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W Northwest Highway, Dallas TX 75225. Elnora will be laid to rest in San Antonio at a private family service on Saturday, November 10, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, the Huntley family asks that Elnora be remembered for her great love of education and its ability to change the trajectory of the lives of young people, especially for African American youth, by making a donation in her name to one of three institutions that have been significant in the lives of the sons whom she loved so dearly: The Southern Methodist University (SMU) Black Alumni Scholarship, First Generation and Historically Underserved Students Scholarship or The Walter Huntley Scholarship at the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.