Lou Ellen Triplett BurtonLou Ellen Triplett Burton, mother of Linnie Burton Donnelly passed away on March 25, 2006 at the Home Hospice House in Odessa, Texas. Mrs. Burton moved to Midland in 1992 to live with her daughter, after being a longtime resident of Austin, Texas. She was born on January 6, 1912 in Pasche, Texas to Concho County Pioneers John Quitman Triplett and Ora Linnie Ledbetter Triplett. In 1933 Mrs. Burton entered the Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital?s School of Nursing. She was pinned a registered nurse in the school?s first graduating class in 1935. In 1936, she served as a Red Cross nurse and later a reserve World War II nurse. In 1942 while living in San Angelo, she was appointed by the Red Cross as the ?Key Nurse? for 13 West Texas counties. Mrs. Burton moved to Austin in 1956 where she became the Director of Nursing at St. David?s Hospital and completed her 54 year nursing career.Mrs. Burton was a faithful member of St. Christopher?s Episcopal Church in Austin and later a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Midland. She was also a member of the Daughter?s of the King auxiliary. In 1978, the Episcopal Church Women honored Mrs. Burton by selecting her Butterfly Symbol? design to use for their national symbol. Mrs. Burton was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lt. William Brewer Chapter and The United Daughters of the Confederacy. She traveled extensively and loved her genealogy research for which she is well known. In 1978, then Governor Dolph Briscoe appointed Mrs. Burton as A Texas Goodwill Ambassador. She was preceded in death by her children; David Frank Burton, Mary Gay Burton; her parents; and sisters Winnie Davis Triplett and Marie Triplett Foster both of San Angelo.Mrs. Burton is survived by her daughter, Linnie Burton Donnelly and her husband G. Arthur Donnelly III of Midland; grandchildren Magan Donnelly Catney and her husband Kenny of Wichita Falls, Degen Donnelly Fricker and her husband William of Fort Worth, and G. Arthur Donnelly IV and his wife Victoria of Houston. Great-grandchildren Blake Arthur and Katy of Wichita Falls, Claudia Ruth, Keaton Marie, and Liem Copeland of Fort Worth, and George Peter of Houston. She is also survived by a sister Johnnie L. Carter of San Angelo. The family is deeply appreciative to her special caregiver Shirley Hall who lovingly cared for her over the last 14 years. Also, the family is grateful to the entire staff of Home Hospice; especially, Angela Jones, Donna Hayes and the Rev. Brenda Deily.Memorials may be directed to Home Hospice 901 W. Missouri or Community Bible Study of Midland.,
