Winnie "Pete" Burney

Winnie “Pete” Burney passed away peacefully in Georgetown Texas on August 11, 2009. She was 88. Pete was raised on a farm in McAdoo Texas, the fifth of eight children born to C.C. and Annie Neeley. As a tight knit, loving family, they knew the joy of having fun and the value of hard work. Her mother died when Pete was 12 years old. As the oldest girl at home, she was left with many responsibilities. No doubt, the experience helped to shape her into the woman that she would become. She was fiercely loyal to her family and never reluctant to face a challenge. In 1944 she met and married Eugene J. Burney, a handsome young cadet in the Army Air Corps. “Gene” graduated as one of the few officers in his class and became a pilot. Pete was a supportive Air Force officer’s wife for many years. Gene would say that she was ‘the wind beneath his wings’. They lived in many states and traveled the world together. They were devoted to each other for 62 years until Gene’s passing in 2007. Pete was an accomplished seamstress, a talented artist and a competitive golfer. She was a tireless worker, always willing to help when she was needed. She had a compassionate heart and was a champion of the underdog. Pete was not defined by what she did, but by who she was. She was devoted wife, a caring mother, a loving and fun grandma, and a most enthusiastic great grandma. She was a steadfast friend, a loyal sister, and a endearing aunt. Pete was preceded in death by her husband; three sisters: Edith Neeley, Earl Parker, and Theresa Holmes; and a granddaughter, Lara Lefforge. She is survived by two daughters and their spouses: Kay & Charles Lance and Judy E’Lane & Paul Lefforge, all of Georgetown. She also leaves behind grandchildren and spouses: Jay and Gwendy Lefforge, Chris Lefforge, Susan and Larry Briggs, Judy and Tim Goodfellow and Karen and John Michael Hairston, as well as nine great grandchildren. Pete has two brothers, Koy and Kenneth Neeley, and two sisters Nell “Polly” Byrum and JoAnn Power, and many special nieces and nephews and their families. She will be remembered and missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at 11:30, Saturday August 15 at Main Street Baptist Church in Georgetown. A graveside service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio at 11:00 on Monday, August 17, 2009.