Alice Mae Burkhalter

Our precious Mother, Alice Mae Burkhalter (McGuire) passed into the arms of Jesus on June 10, 2022, lovingly comforted by her 3 children. A true steel Magnolia-deeply Southern in her heart, becoming Texan for her children… Alice was born in Montgomery, AL. to Dr. & Mrs. W.D. Burkhalter, Sr. on April 5, 1940. When she was young, they moved to Memphis, TN., where her father began his practice as a pediatrician. She was the apple of her father’s eye and an adored sister of two brothers, both of whom preceded her in death-her older brother, Dr. W.D. Burkhalter, Jr. of Memphis, and her younger brother, Dr. M. Terry Burkhalter, of Nashville, TN

Mom had a passionate love for Jesus and His word and instilled in us the desire to seek Him and know His grace. She lifted her beautiful voice high in praise at every opportunity. She enjoyed reading, tending flowers, bird watching-hummingbirds were her favorite-and especially shopping! Mom/Nana loved to shower all those she loved with treats, gifts, and many Beanie Babies.

The greatest joys and treasures of this life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and was always ready to defend and protect… even when we were way past needing her assistance.

Some of her fondest days in Texas were lived out in Weatherford where she tended to several horses, the Farmer’s (Darla’s family) pet steer, “Bo”, and multiple dogs and cats while fending off heat, coyotes, and locusts to her two eldest grandsons’ great delight. They also have fond memories of Nana being a terrific storyteller-even coming to their preschool-with tales about Little LuLu, Cowboy Sam, and Candy the Giraffe.

Mom had very dear friends at Park Hill Church in Fort Worth, especially Arlene Karnes, who was a sweet presence for Mom through the rest of her life. The “Holmes Road Honeys”, anchored by Mom and her long time BFF, Sylvia Goode, were special friends from her earliest days as a minister’s wife in Memphis.

Mom beat breast cancer in 2000, making her grandchildren laugh with the comic removal of her wig to display her bald head when she needed the “cancer card” to break the rules, cut in line at the movies, or get autographs from the Dallas Stars when we took her to Vail in celebration of her victory.

Mom loved to dance-she loved music and despite a rare mid-brain stroke in 2009 which left her with the ongoing need for a walker, she could still dance. And dance she did, walker-free, much to our surprise whenever she had the opportunity.

You are free to dance, Mom, for all eternity…dancing with the angels in heaven…holding onto the hands of your beautiful granddaughter, Hope.

Alice is survived by daughter Melody Ann Burt (Brad) of Pittsburg, TX. & 2 sons, Michael Sanderson (Darla) of Dallas, and Murray Sanderson (Jaime) of Nashville. She leaves behind 9 beloved grandchildren: Bennett (Catie) Burt of Corpus Christi, TX., Briggs Burt of Gilmer, TX., Stone, Sterling, & Savannah Sanderson of Dallas, and Faith, Eli, Ezra, and Noelle Sanderson of Nashville, as well as 3 cherished great grandchildren: Beckett, Ainsley Mae, and Addie Beth Burt of Corpus Christi, with another on the way, and her dear nieces and nephews.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!”

Psalm 66:16-20 (ESV)

Mom’s life was marked by grace and love. We will celebrate at Erman Smith Funeral Home in Pittsburg, TX. Donations in her memory are welcomed to Christian Works for Children in Dallas, 5440 Harvest Hill #140 Dallas, Texas 75230, a ministry close to her heart.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Pittsburg with interment to follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Pittsburg. There will be a visitation held before the service beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home.