Jewell Frances Burnham

Jewell Frances Richardson Burnham went to be with her Lord April 30, 2018. She was 86 at the time of her death. She was born January 16, 1932 in Sallis, MS to the late James Hall and Emma Mae Richardson. She graduated from Jena High School in 1950 and attended LA College. She was married to Hugh Burnham for 39 years. She was manager of Dixie Store in Jena for three years and later employed by Bodcaw Co. for 20 years; reorganized the Pink Ladies at LaSalle General Hospital. She taught Sunday school and was organist for Bellevue Baptist Church, Jena. After moving to Shreveport, she served two years as President of Cross Lake Homemakers Club, did volunteer work at LSU Medical Center, and for three years, made burial gowns for the Neo-Natal Unit. Even though Fran never had children, she had a special gift to work with them. Fran never met a stranger and always had a smile for everyone wherever she traveled, and her life was loving deeds and selfless acts for others. She enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, sewing, cooking, and entertaining. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Burnham. She is survived by brother-in-law, Glenn Owers of Many, LA; four nieces; three nephews; four stepchildren, Nancy Burnham of Lake Charles, LA; Bruce Burnham and wife Jeanie of Shreveport, Keith Burnham of Austin, TX, and Penny Mayo and husband Keith of Jena; three granddaughters whom she dearly loved, Tessa Granger and husband Todd, Lauren Poole and husband Dustin, and Miranda Lauter; three step grandsons, Nick Nelson of Pineville, LA, Drew Mayo of Jena, and Keith Lauter of Omaha, TX; and four great-grandchildren, Seth and Bella Granger, Dexter Poole, and Ben Nelson. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Emmanuel Baptist Church, or to the charity of donor's choice. We would like to thank Demetria Hill (aka Meka to us) for her tender loving care given to Dad and Fran over the last four years. You stood by us through good times and bad, happy times and sad times and we will be forever grateful. Love you very much. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 in Jena Cemetery, Jena, LA.