Edith Lynn Sullivan Burkhart

Edith Burkhart was reunited with her beloved husband Houston and daughter Martha Collins on December 29, 2025. Edith was a young 100 years old, born at home in Sulphur Bluff, Texas to Joseph and Purvis Sullivan on October 23, 1925. She attended East Texas State Teachers College, earning a teaching certificate, and for a short time taught school. During WWII she began correspondence with a local soldier, Houston Burkhart, and they were married on June 24, 1945.

Edith was a dedicated homemaker who proved many times that she could make almost anything out of nothing. Her husband and four children were always her focus. Education was a priority; her children always knew that they would be doing their homework, no excuses. Edith also instilled in her children a drive to have college educations, which all achieved.

Edith was a master quilter, meticulously placing each stitch by hand. Her quilts are works of art and treasured heirlooms. She was also active in her church.

Edith's care for her grandchildren was unmatched. All 5 grandchildren share countless special memories of time spent at her country home where they played pirate on the small creek, burying treasure and sailing the "high seas". They especially cherished time listening to her stories, whether they were clipped from the local paper to read at bedtime, or stories of her vast life experiences.

Some of her most memorable (and frequently repeated) stories involved her memories of picking cotton as a child to help provide money for her family, and her stories of having to ride in a horse-drawn wagon to go to school in bad weather. Her storytelling had an ability to open a window into another time.

She will be remembered by those who love her as a person who always wanted to stand far enough outside the limelight to avoid attention, but close enough to help with the work.

Edith is survived by her daughters, Mary Hamlin of Tyler and Nancy Glaspie of Manor; son, Don Burkhart of Tyler and his wife Jan; son-in-law Ken Collins, as well as five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank The Hospice of East Texas for making Edith comfortable and for helping her family through this hard transition.

Edith's kind, loving and always helpful presence will be sorely missed. Edith, you have earned your rest from a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Edith's name to one of the following:

Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler, Texas 75701

The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Nelta Cemetery in Sulphur Bluff, Texas.