Zuma Renaud

1922 - 2015

Zuma Turner Burrow Renaud died peacefully in her Midland home on December 20, 2015. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 28, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 PM with a Rosary to follow at 7:00PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 10:00AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ft. Worth, TX with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Ft. Worth, TX. Across her 93 years, Zuma built a life of purpose and beauty, always with her family at the center. In matters large and small, she acted on her conviction of what was right and what was best, determined by strong faith, loyalty, and love. Her natural authority was matched by natural generosity. If you needed help, Zuma was a fierce, intelligent ally. If you needed vision, she saw possibilities rather than limitations. If you needed an opinion, she had one. Born in Longview, Texas, on December 13, 1922, to loving parents Hazel Jane and Patrick Joel Burrow, Zuma moved at age four to Fort Worth, where she attended Our Lady of Victory from kindergarten through her 1939 high school graduation. An accomplished pianist, she continued her college education there, earning a degree in Music. This education inspired her beliefs and values, uplifting her commitment to the Catholic Church and lifelong dedication to the arts. In 1947, Zuma married ardent suitor and rising geologist Charles Benham Renaud and immediately began their family. Along with their five children, Zuma embraced the care of the generations above, below, and beside her. Capable in any circumstance, confident in her judgment, refined in her tastes, Zuma warmly welcomed friends and family into the homes she created, full of good food, music, and art. She especially enjoyed opening new experiences to her children and grandchildren, with whom she loved to travel. In showing them the world's beauty and variety, she showed them her love. Zuma extended this generous spirit as a leading supporter of the performing arts. In 1957, she established the Fort Worth Ballet Arts company, which brought to her city the finest ballet dancers of the era, most notably Prima Ballerina Assoluta Mia Slavenska. The company's production of Swan Lake, starring Slavenska at Casa Manana, marked the world premiere of Ballet in the Round. Zuma's success as innovator and producer caught the attention of New York's Harkness Ballet Foundation, where she served as a board member. After moving to Midland in 1970, Zuma supported many arts organizations seeking her guidance, including the Midland Ballet. As president of Renwood Productions, formed with nephew Sam Woodward, she began production of a film documentary of Slavenska's life and brought world-class artists to town, establishing the "Select Series" of cabaret-style performances at Midland Community Theater. From legendary jazz singer Bobby Short to Metropolitan Opera star Roberta Peters, from country great Mel Tillis to beloved puppeteer Shari Lewis, Zuma's varied productions enriched the Midland arts community and shaped its future. Zuma was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Charles B. Renaud, and her sister, Orline Woodward. She is remembered in love by her many friends, nieces, and nephews, and especially by her five children: Ellen and her husband, William Dast; Bebe and her husband, James H. Snowden III; Louis and his wife, Lynn; David and his wife, Clare Novak; Chris and his wife, Courtney; 11 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons: Mark Renaud Pulliam, Matthew Bates Pulliam, Christopher Barry Pulliam, Charles Philip Renaud, John Pollard Renaud, and Christopher Phillip Renaud, Jr. The family thanks for their devoted care Mary Howell, Hortense Brown, Sue Ellen Guajardo and the devoted love and care of the Delicate Caregivers team. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Zuma's honor may be sent to the Midland Children's Rehabilitation Center (802 Ventura Ave., Midland, TX 79705), Hospice Midland (PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702), Sisters of St. Mary of Namur (909 W. Shaw, Fort Worth, TX 76110), Ballet Concerto (3803 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107), or your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.