Pearl Markham Burch

Pearl Markham Burch (Mrs. Clovis Burch)

SHREVEPORT, LA - Pearl passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2008, at Grace Home with Alzheimer's disease. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5th, at Osborn Funeral Home. A memorial service honoring her loving life of service to others will be held in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, with Dr. Greg Hunt officiating. A reception will follow in the Church Parlor. A private family burial will be held at Forest Park Cemetery.

Pearl attended public schools in Tupelo, MS and graduated high school in 1949. After working for one year, she then enrolled at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, MS where she met her husband. After completing her studies there, she transferred to Ole Miss where she continued her studies in Home Economics and received her B.S. degree. She continued her studies and received her Masters degree, which was completed after she was married. Pearl demonstrated her love and respect for receiving her college education and established a scholarship at Itawamba Community College in Fulton to provide funds for the support of a deserving student. This scholarship is handed out once a year.

Pearl was married to Clovis Burch in 1953 and they raised four sons. Pearl received a teacher certificate in Mississippi but chose to use all of her training and skills in the nurture and guidance of her four sons. After the boys were in high school, she became an amateur photographer and traveled to Europe with her camera and friends. Pearl then committed herself to flowers and gardening, being an active member of Pierremont Hills Garden Club where she became a Flower Judge and toured cities throughout the state. Pearl's dedication to service of others and love for gardening was demonstrated by her gift to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, which established the first Herbal Garden on the grounds, in honor of her husband.

Pearl belonged to the First Baptist Church in Shreveport for over fifty years and was active in its fellowship and support of First Baptist School with all her sons graduating there. She taught one year and was also a substitute teacher and she served many years in Sunday School in the Pre-School Dept.

Pearl (Mrs. Burch) was preceded in death by her mother and father, Laura Stanley and James Roston Markham. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clovis Burch; her sons, John Markham Burch and wife, Carol Craddock Burch, of Chapel Hill, James Alan Burch, David Stanley Burch, Paul Michael Burch and wife, Carlee McCain Burch, all of Shreveport; and four grandchildren, Mason Lee Burch, Emily Elizabeth Burch, Benjamin Clark Burch and Sara Beth Burch.

Pallbearers will be Willis Meadows, Cody White, Ray Boswell, Bob King, Joe Thomas and Don Williamson.

We the family are grateful to Eric Smith, MD, Schumpert Hospital and Grace Home. OSBORNFUNERALHOME.NET

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