Bettye J. Burlison

Our mother’s fondest memory was walking with her father while holding his hand. After a long separation her father reached out his hand once more to show her the way home. After a happy reunion with her mother Bernice, beloved grandparents, aunts and uncles she was reunited with her one and only husband, John W, who left us in 1975 after 25 years of marriage; as well as her granddaughter, Jessica Case, who left us too soon in 1999 at age 16.

A Reitz High School Graduate (1947) she earned an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Lockyear College in 1949. She worked at various places over the years including AJ Hocker Advertising where she was asked to draw the concept design for the Santa Claus statue located at 41 & 64 advertising Santa Claus Land.

We wish her and our father a well deserved rest and look forward to the day when it is our turn to reach for their hands.

An accomplished seamstress and crafter, she always gifted her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her creations.

She will miss her beloved dog, Fran. She has not left us behind but has gone ahead to await our eternal reunion.

Bettye is survived by daughters, Tina Faye Smith (Marvin) of Altus, OK, Bonita Kay Sullivan (Terry Reints) of Rochelle, IL; sons, John Jay Burlison (Barb Braswell) of Rochelle, IL, Edward Ray Burlison (Julia) of Evansville, Jeffery Clay Burlison of Evansville; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert Steele (Betty) of Evansville, Michael Steele of Evansville; sisters in law, Florence Steele (Edward), Oregon, Sugar Steele (Leonard), Evansville; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 10:00AM, Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Alexander West Chapel, with burial in Locust Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit, Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 3:00PM until 8:00PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Vanderburgh Humane Society, 400 Millner Industrial Drive; Evansville, IN 47710 or the American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60674.