Shirley Jeannette (O'Brien) Burleson

Shirley Jeannette O'Brien Burleson, age 80 of Palestine, Texas went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 9, 2021.  She was born in Houston, Texas on February 8, 1941. Shirley put herself through nursing school and worked for an orthopedic surgeon in the Houston Medical Center.  She moved to Columbus, Texas and worked as a teacher’s aide for special needs children and drove the school bus.  Next, she worked for the State of Texas to help mentally challenged adults learn basic skills, so they could live more independently.  In 1999, she moved to Palestine, Texas and worked as a teacher’s aide and bus driver for Westwood ISD, before moving full-time as a receptionist at Palestine Regional Medical Center until she retired in 2015.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Gaines O'Brien, Sr. and Nora F. Sample O'Brien, as well as her brother, Benjamin Gaines O'Brien, Jr.  

Shirley is survived by her 4 children, Patrick and Sandra Burleson of Kingwood, Texas, Glenn and Rosalie Burleson of Katy, Texas, Nathan and Tracy Burleson of Katy, Texas and Kathy and Kris Camblin of Katy, Texas.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Tiffany, Jennifer, Curtis, Adam, Alicia and Valerie, and 2 great grandchildren, Ava and Taylor.

Viewing for Shirley Burleson will be held from one o’clock until four o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, July 16, 2021, at Rhone Funeral Home.

Friends are cordially invited to a graveside service with the family on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at one o’clock in the afternoon at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, 8417 FM 141, Dime Box, Texas 77853. 

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be directed towards Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Houston, Attn: Donor Development, 6977 Main Street, Houston, Tx 77030 or MD Anderson, www.gifts.mdanderson.org.

Funeral services for Shirley Jeannette O’Brien Burleson are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Jeannette (O'Brien) Burleson, please visit our floral store.