Nell Terry Burch's Obituary
Nell Terry Burch died peacefully on July 30, 2009. Nell was born to Lena McKinney Terry and Clarence Mercer Terry on December 15, 1916 in Childress County, Texas. She and her brother and three sisters spent their childhood in the Texas panhandle towns of Amarillo, Dodsonville, Loco, and Wellington. After graduating from Wellington High School she settled in Dallas where she met and married Riley Burch. The U.S. Navy stationed the newlyweds in Kansas, Virginia, and Michigan. At the end of the war Nell and Riley returned to Dallas where Riley began his career as a homebuilder. While raising their two children, Nell began a home building career of her own. Over the course of the next 18 years Nell designed and built eight homes that would now be classified as mid-century modern. At age 50 Nell turned to watercolor painting as her creative outlet. She became a member of Southwest Watercolor Association and painted over 500 works that she generously gave to family, friends and her church. Riley and Nell were active members of the Sanders Class at East Dallas Christian Church for over 30 years. Nell is survived by her children Judith Burch Gass and husband Robert Gass, Curtis Marvin Burch and wife Kristin Burcham, grandchildren Katherine Burch Canales and husband Rob Canales, Jennifer Burch O’Connor and husband John O’Connor, Samantha Terry Burch, Molly Jenna Burch, great-grandson Charles Steven Canales, and sisters Helen Boston and Flo Whitmore. Nell is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Riley Wray Burch, brother Clarence Marvin Terry, and sister Louise Terry Bouchelle. A special thank you to niece Pam Landa, nephew Doug Whitmore, and loving employee Eva Rameriz for their devoted attention to Nell and Riley during their final years. The family is sincerely grateful for the excellent care Nell received from the nurses and caregivers at The Plaza at Edgemere. A memorial service will be held at the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Cemetery on Monday, August 3rd at 12:30. Donations will gratefully be accepted in Nell’s memory at Artreach Dallas, 2800 N. Henderson, Suite 102, 75206 or Educational First Steps at 2800 Swiss Ave, 75204.
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