Patsy Ruth Samford Burns was born in Center, Texas, on April 30, 1935. Her parents were Joe Samford and Mary Dockens, and her older brothers were Glenn and Charles.

Patsy (or Pat) grew up in the coastal town of Nederland, TX. Always outgoing and gregarious, Mom was frequently given detention for talking in school.  The principal kept a chair in his office for her because she could not be quiet. The detention hall was presided over by the infamous head football coach, Bum Phillips, who led Nederland High School to a championship state football title. Mom celebrated her 60th high school reunion in 2012 and still has friends in Nederland.

After graduating from High School, Mom attended Jacksonville Baptist College, where she was named "Most Beautiful" by the student body and met and married the love of her life, Harold Burns, in 1953. She began her new journey as a Baptist minister's wife as Daddy pastored small churches in East Texas.  They quickly became a family of six. Connie Ruth was born in Port Arthur, John Mark in Waco, Kathy Joy in Longview, and Cynthia Ann in Nacogdoches from 1955-1960. People called us "stair steps" because we were so close in age.

In the first years of her marriage, Mom's vocation was raising us and serving beside my father in ministry. Imagine dressing four little ones for church on Sunday and getting to service on time. We received a pinch or two from her during Daddy's sermons. Easter time was extraordinary. She dressed us in new clothes, shoes, hats, and gloves. Mom was a fashionista too. We have pictures of her in different hats through the years and laugh hard. We always took summer vacations. We drove to Beaver's Bend, the Roaring River, and the Carolinas, camping in Colorado and viewing the mountains. Mamaw Burns often joined us.

Mom was a Christian influence and always said that her family was her life. From the time she rose in the morning, Mom was busy. She filled our home with laughter, music, and the smells of freshly brewed coffee, bacon, sliced oranges, chocolate pies, furniture polish, and pine sol! In the mornings, Mother had the transistor radio tuned to her beloved Gospel hymns or a country station playing Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Morning!"  Mother sang while she worked, and her beautiful voice fills our memories.

Mom went to nursing school and obtained a Licensed Vocational Nursing certification in 1972 from Navarro College. She wore the nurse's cap, which all nurses were required to wear at the time. Before retiring, she worked in clinics in Ennis, Pasadena, and McKinney and in public schools.

Mom retired from nursing at age 75 with a legacy of three granddaughters who followed her into the medical field as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant. Watching the granddaughters minister to Mom at the end of her life was a blessing.

In her later years, Mom enjoyed attending Cottonwood Creek Church, where she participated in Sunday School and senior activities. She loved living in McKinney with her daughter Cynthia after Daddy died in 1999.

Mom was an exceptional cook. She left us her recipes, but when we cook them, they sometimes taste different.

Mom is preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. Harold Burns; her mother and father, Mary and Joe Samford; her brothers, Glenn, and Charles Samford.

Mom is survived by her children, Connie and husband Richard Clark, Mark and wife Melissa, Joy and husband Bill Potrykus, and Cynthia with Piper, the beautiful grand champion Scottish Terrier beloved by Mom. Her adoring grandchildren: Christi Bonar and husband Robby; Carrie Simmons and husband Jason; Brittany Kovalic and husband John; John Blake Burns and wife Jessie; Samantha Potrykus, and Sophie Potrykus. Ten great-grandchildren: Robert and Audrey Bonar; Hudson and Hadley Simmons; Kennedy, John Luke, and Lyla Burns; John Benjamin, Emerson, and John Ethan Kovalic. Four nieces, Linda Somerford, Linda Polhamus, Vickie McMillian, Donna Camp, and one nephew, Ricky Burns.

"Thank You, precious Mother, for loving us and leaving us with memories we will carry throughout our lives." Connie, Mark, Joy, and Cynthia