Margaret Jane Burkhead's Obituary
Margaret Jane Johnson Burkhead was born on the Johnson family farm in Weatherford, Texas, on November 2, 1916, to James Benjamin Johnson and Willie Olivia Ritch Johnson. She was the second to the youngest of nine children and raised in the Methodist Church. The family moved to Abilene, Texas, when Margaret was still in grade schooL She graduated from Abilene High School in 1934 and moved to Dallas, Texas, later that year to live with her older brother, WesJohnson, and his family. The country was in the depths of the Great Depression, and to most, like Margaret, who came from rural farms or small towns, a city promised opportunity. Once in Dallas, she got a job in a tie factory and attended Draughn’s Business College, hoping that it would lead to a better job. It was while working at the tie factory that she became friends with Mamie Burkhead Gray. Mamie had a younger brother whom she wanted to see married to the right girl, and she liked Margaret. So she played matchmaker by inviting Margaret to come her house for Sunday dinner to meet her baby brother, Bradford. Margaret declined several times because she was not, as she said, “interested in anyone’s brother,” but she finally accepted. Margaret was a beautiful and sweet young woman, and Bradford knew a “keeper” when he saw one. Bradford also came from a large family-he was the youngest of thirteen children-and it didn’t take long for all of his family to love Margaret almost as much as he did. On Christmas Day 1938, Margaret and Bradford married in San Angelo, Texas, along with Margaret’s childhood friends, Hat Clonts and Peewee Fannin. As Depression Era farm children, Margaret and Bradford grew up poor but proud, and they had dreams of a better life for their own family. Margaret completed her training at Draughn’s Business School in Dallas in the late thirties and began a career in banking that lasted for decades. Bradford worked for Swift and Company from the early thirties until his death in 1971. Their daughter, Carol Ann, was born in 1942 shortly before Bradford, always called “Bud” by family and friends, left to serve in the Army during WWII. Margaret and Carol lived in Abilene with family until the end of the war, and Bud came home. In 1955, their daughter, linda, was born. The family moved from Abilene to Dallas in 1960, and Margaret went to work at Preston State Bank, from which she retired as an officer in 1981. Margaret lost her beloved Bud to cancer in July of 1971. Often encouraged to date and possibly marry again, she always said, “I had the best. I won’t settle for second.” She was a woman of quiet assurance in God and in Jesus as her Redeemer. Her faith, like her character, was strong and steady. She was a kind and gentle presence, and to those who loved her-and that was almost anyone who ever knew her-she was “sunshine.” She now joins her beloved husband and those of her family who went home before her. And it will be a glorious celebration! Margaret is survived by her two daughters, twelve grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of grace, generosity, and love. We were so very blessed to have her in our lives. The service for Margaret Burkhead will be held at 3:30 PM, Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Restland Memorial Park with a visitation at 2:00 PM.
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