Bonna Maura Cason Burr

“Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Coal”

August 4, 2021 was a Diamond Day, for sure.

Bonna Maura Cason Burr was born October 28, 1931, in Cooke County to Laura and James Cason. She graduated from Gainesville High School and settled there. She met the love of her life, Phillip Asher Burr, and together they raised five children and loved two step-children. She worked many years and made many memories while working at Black Gold Café with her sister Donna Bass. She also worked for Gainesville State School and eventually retired from there after serving over 30 years as the House Parent Supervisor. Grandma was a proud and faithful charter member of Mission Methodist Church in Gainesville, where she served as Chairman, Administrative Counsel and Treasurer, for many years, until the church eventually closed their doors.

You may not have known Grandma, but odds are, she made your life a little better. A woman who influenced all that knew her. She wasn’t sophisticated but shined with a country charm, that was all her own. She could assess the value of anything, long before anyone said a word. She didn’t understand dishonesty because it never took anyone to a better place. She was never late, for anything. But granted leeway for anyone who wasn’t as punctual as her. Not one person would want or need for anything, if she had her say so in it. You could depend on her. You still can. Her moral compass and strength of character will live on in her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and her nieces and nephews. And in anyone who was blessed enough to know her.

Grandma loved anything that bloomed. Loved the Spring. She loved everything and anything pink. Not so much a fan of the Winter or when it rained, often joking that she was “solar-powered”. She’d comment that, “she didn’t know who needed the rain, but it sure wasn’t her”. Grandma was the last of the American Pioneers and loved gardening, which mainly consisted of planting pretty flowers and handling any snake that got in her way. She loved homegrown tomatoes, black-eye peas and, of course, okra. She could make something out of nothing. This was found in all aspects of her life, whether it was cooking her famous fried chicken, a fresh batch of her famous sugar cookies (that none of us can seem to duplicate no matter how many hours we spend trying) or simply just loving and serving those around her. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have lost their number one fan. Grandma sure loved her Rangers!

Grandma didn’t know a stranger. Grandma was a true believer of her Lord and Savior and loved devoting her time helping with youth and family in need.  She is preceded in death by her husband Phillip Asher Burr. Son, Stephen Edward. Great granddaughter, Larkin. Son-in-law, Jerry Gilbert. Mother, Laura Cason. Father, James Cason. Sister, Donna Bass. Brothers, Ronald and Gary. She is survived by son, Hugh Milton and wife Anne. Daughter, Phyllis Annette and husband Ike. Son, Douglas Randall and wife Gerrie. Daughter, Melissa Gilbert. Step-son, Philip Burr and wife Irma. Step-daughter, Christine Burr. Brother, Jesse Cason and wife Berniece. Sister, Mabel Wheeler and husband Dean. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Grandma’s legacy is more than enough for any lifetime. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Fly high Grandma.

Funeral services for Bonna Cason Burr, 89, of Gainesville, will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, August 9, 2021 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roslyn Eugster officiating.  Burial will follow in the Oak Wood Cemetery in Whitesboro.  A visitation is set for Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Hobbs, Chris Burr, Tim Burr, Clay Burr, Phillip Burr, and Ted Cason.

Honorary Pallbearers are Brad Heimer, Hunter Shirley, and Kenny Burr.