Her Life 1918–2008

Julia Margaret Lee Burleson West left her earth suit Saturday, October 4, 2008, and put on her heavenly suit and entered another life. In our common vernacular she died yesterday.


Margaret and Reed Burleson had four children, two girls Betty and Fern, and two boys Paul and Jim.


Reed Burleson died in 1971 in October at the age of 56. Margaret remarried a few years later to Eldon West.


After a few years of marriage, Eldon died. Over the years Margaret became a widow twice, lost her daughter Fern, and had some health issues. As she grew older, she progressively moved into smaller living quarters, assisted living, and finally became a resident in a nursing home. None of this was easy, but she made the best of every situation. As the changes came and she adjusted, she would eventually say, this is okay. She was a real trooper and learned to accept the different stages of her life.

Last May, the family hosted a 90th birthday party. Here's a picture of some of our family with her at that party.


The services are pending and the details will be decided today, Sunday. The reality of losing a loved one sometimes takes time to soak in. As I was looking through and choosing pictures for the service, I walked down memory lane of Margaret's life. Though she's gone from us physically, she as others of our family who have died, will live on in our hearts and memories. This is the way I'll remember her, younger and laughing and enjoying life.


See you later, Margaret.
MB