Burma Fay Beal

Burma Fay (Ellis) Beal of Bryan, Texas went to be with the Lord on Wednesday January 27, 2021. She was 101 years old. A graveside service conducted by Callaway Jones Funeral Home will be held at 1:00 0’clock February 1, 2021 at Rest Ever Memorial Park Cemetery in Bryan. Face-masks and social distancing will be observed.

Burma was born on September 15, 1919, in Jewett, Tx to Susie and Wade Ellis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Oren W. Beal, her parents, her sister, Thelma Evans and her brother, Glen Ellis.
She is survived by three children and their spouses: daughter Janice Wilson and Frank of Coppell, TX. , son Oren and Pat of Bryan, and son Brad and Peggy of Richmond, Tx – as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and one niece. She is also sur vived by two sisters in law Evelyn Beal and Wanda Beal of Bryan.

Burma was baptized at First Baptist Church in Jewett, and graduated from Jewett High School as class salutatorian in 1936. She was active in school activities and played on the school tennis team, and she won state in singles. She was an adventurous person and when she was 12 years old, she climbed the Jewett water tower. Then people gathered to watch her descend safely – which she did. After high school, Burma graduated from Austin Beauty School in 1927 and worked as a hairdresser in Huntsville, TX. and Palestine, Tx. before moving to Bryan and opening her own beauty shop in her home and operated it for 46 years. She treasured the many strong friendships she made in the shop. One special friend, Debbie NoIan of Bryan, worked with Burma in the beauty shop for 17 years. Burma loved Debbie like a daughter.

She met Oren at College Avenue Baptist Church, which is now Central Church. They married in 1938 and were happily married for 65 years.

Burma was a faithful member of Central Church, and Central meant so much to her. Over the years, she worked in the church nursery, helped in the prayer ministry, and especially enjoyed her Sunday school class, Triple L, as well as the Widows Hope ministry with leaders, John and Debbie Mauer. She and Oren also participated in the church Easter pageant for several years.

Burma and Oren loved to fish together and especially at Lake Limestone where they maintained a weekend home. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends from Central for fish fries and other occasions. They were loyal Aggie fans and were season ticket holders for 35 years. Burma continued to support the Aggies and watched every athletic event whenever possible. She was also an avid Houston Astros fan. When she turned 100, they recognized her as a fan, and was interviewed on KBTX TV with regard to her love of the team. This was viewed on several other TV stations all over the U.S.

She had a special gift for making the “world’s best peanut brittle” which was a delight for family and friends to receive and enjoy. She was a missionary for the Lord at heart and spent countless hours visiting local nursing homes where she added encouragement to others. She continued to spread cheer at Waldenbrooke and then later at Crestview Methodist Retirement Communities. Her life was spent showing Jesus’ love to others. She had a lengthy list of people that she prayed for and called almost every night until she was unable to continue to do so. She hardly ever missed a day without talking to her three children.

On her 100th birthday, Burma was honored by Congressman Bill Flores from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. for her long and happy life. The cere mony was viewed on KBTX and many other TV stations.
Burma, most likely, held the record of most reunion attendances to the Beal, Bond & Closs Family Reunion that started in Bryan in 1885. She hated to miss the last few.

Most every night, she was joined by her friends, Don and Nancy Hancock, on the phone, and they sang songs such as “In The Garden”. She loved this nightly event and loved the Hancocks.

She was a wonderful example to all who knew her. Burma was loved and will be missed by many. Psalms 116: 15 describes her well. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Godly Ones.”

The family would like to thank the staff and aides of Crestview Methodist Retirement Community as well as Hospice Brazos Valley who provided such loving care and concern to Burma. In lieu of flowers, any donation to one of the above would be greatly appreciated.