Lupe Arellano Burns

Lupe Arellano Burns, age 81, of Castroville formerly of Abilene, Texas, passed away April 8, 2013 in Castroville, Texas. She was born Sept. 6, 1931 in Ballinger, Texas to Jose Perez Arellano and Josefina Gonzalez Arellano. Lupe was baptized on Nov. 8, 1931 at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Ballinger, TX. As a teenager Lupe devoted much of her time to a Hispanic Methodist Youth Ministry directed by Senor Flores. After World War II the family moved to Abilene, TX. In the 1950’s Lupe worked as a food server at the downtown Abilene Paramount Café. There she met her soon to be husband, Robert L. Burns of Branford, Connecticut, who at the time was stationed by the Air Force at Dyess. They married Nov. 26, 1957. In the early 1960’s and now with three children, the family joined Caps United Methodist Church where she was a very active member of the congregation. Lupe later returned to work for Liston Blanks at the downtown Bell Dinette Café. She later worked at O’Kelley Office Supply as a store clerk. In the late 1970’s Lupe returned to the food industry working for the AISD at four different schools in their cafeterias before she retired in 1996. In 2002 she moved to Castroville, Texas after suffering a stroke so she could be cared for by her son, William. Lupe was a resident at Medina Valley Health and Rehabilitation. She attended Medina Valley United Methodist Church until she was no longer able to do so. Even with her illness she continued to touch the lives of those who cared for her in her final years. Lupe Burns had a loving personality and never met a stranger. She truly loved and cared for her entire family. Young children and infants always produced a smile on her face. She had a strong affection for special needs children. Lupe was always the cause for laughter and fun at any family gathering. Even when she might be the focus of the joke, Lupe would laugh more at herself. She was the epitome of humility. We are all honored to have called her our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. The Burns Family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Charles Berlin and his family for their assistance in nurturing the body and soul of our beloved Lupe Arellano Burns for the past thirty years. Lupe was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Burns and her parents. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Jose Arellano, Rudolfo Arellano, Edward Gonzales, and sister Francisca Arellano. Survivors include her children, Robert (Becky) Burns of Shreveport, LA, William Burns of Castroville, TX and Edwina (Ben) Vogt of Grandville, Michigan; grandchildren, Justin (Tonie Lingle) Burns of Shreveport, LA, Brandi Burns of Plano, TX, Chelsye (Timmy) Prince of Texarkana, TX; great-grandchildren, Morgan Burns and Jace Burns of Shreveport, LA.; sisters, Amparo (Milan) James of Wichita Falls, TX, Josephine (Matt) Zimmermann of Santa Rosa, California, and Elida (Giles) Antaya of Plankinton, SD; brother, Jesus (Delores) Gonzales of Abilene; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, in Abilene, TX. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. at Caps United Methodist Church, 6501 U.S. Hwy. 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606, officiated by Steve Longmire. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given in her memory to Huntingtons Disease Society of America, www.hdsa.org.