Pearl Schwethelm Burkett

Pearl Schwethelm Burkett
June 16, 1916 - September 7, 2013

Pearl Wilhelmina Schwethelm Burkett went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013.  She passed peacefully from her life at her home of 78 years in Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas.

Mrs. Burkett was the second of twin girls born to Arno Schwethelm and Emilie Heinen Schwethelm on June 16, 1916 in Comfort, Kendall County, Texas.

She is survived by her son, Joseph W. Burkett III, DVM and his wife Courtney of Morris Ranch, Gillespie County, Texas; her nieces, Helen Ruth Jung of Fredericksburg, Shirley O’Quinn of San Antonio, Janell Edwards of San Antonio, Pat Currier of San Antonio, Jeanie Cox of Dallas, and Dorothy Dee Carter of Stuart, Florida; and her nephew, A.C. Schwethelm and his wife, Marilyn, of Comfort.

She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Diana Burkett Kimberly of Kerrville, Texas; Joseph W. Burkett, IV and his wife, Lara, of Washington, D.C.; Jane Elizabeth Furbush of Hunt, Texas; Judith Ann Magee and her husband, Chris, of Alvarado, Texas; Hunter Leopold Burkett and his wife, Kathy, of San Angelo, Texas; Trapper Hays Burkett of Fredericksburg, Texas; and Jonathan Fisher Burkett of Morris Ranch, Texas; eleven great-grandchildren, Kristian M. Furbush, Sharon C. Cook, Emilie C. Kimberly, Michael D. Kimberly, Jr., Margaret Anne Kimberly, Haiven S. Furbush, Hagan L. Magee, Ashley L. Burkett, Joseph W. Burkett V, Ivory H. Burkett and Lola A. Burkett and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, the honorable Joseph Washington Burkett, Jr. and son, James Arno Burkett; brother, Chester Schwethelm of Comfort; sisters, Edna Reinhard of Boerne, Ruby Edwards of Fredericksburg and Della Gombert Packard of Lake McQueeney; nephews, Douglas Wayne Edwards of San Antonio and Milton Edwards, Jr. of Fredericksburg, and grandson-in-law, Steve Furbush of Hunt.

Mrs. Burkett was educated in the Comfort schools and attended the University of Texas in Austin.  She moved to Kerrville following her marriage to Mr. Joe Burkett, Jr. on Aug. 16, 1936 at St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Comfort, Texas to the Westland Subdivision, where they made their home.

Over the 78 years Mrs. Burkett lived in Kerrville, she was instrumental in establishing and supporting the St. Peter’s School and remained devoutly involved with the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.  A lifelong Episcopalian, Mrs. Burkett served faithfully as a member of the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Altar Guild.

Aside from the whole-hearted support and gentle advice she provided her husband throughout their politically active life and civic participation, Mrs. Burkett was a lifelong member of the Kerrville Sewing Club.

Mrs. Burkett’s true passion and dedication was the nurturing and love of her family. Especially important were her seven grandchildren and her eleven great-grandchildren with whom she shared special relationships.  Pearl was proud of each member of her family.  Together she and Joe supported the pursuit of education and excellence of both family and friends.

Besides the life they enjoyed while Mr. Burkett was involved in local, state and federal politics or practicing law, the Burketts enjoyed ranching and gardening in town and at their ranch in Gillespie County.  Mrs. Burkett was an accomplished gardener who waited patiently for daybreak to tend her garden.

Memorial services were held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 9 a.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.  A reception for family and friends followed the service in the parish hall.

Mrs. Burkett was interred together with her husband, Mr. Joe Burkett, Jr. and her son, James Arno Burkett in the Garden of Memories in Kerrville, Texas.

Honorary pallbearers were A.C. Schwethelm, Cecil Willis, Lynn Willis, Otto Schwethelm, Chester Hurst, Hale Schaleben, Doug Edwards and Chris Magee.

Memorials may be made to the Hill Country Youth Ranch or the St. Peter’s Episcopal School.

The family invites you to send condolences at
www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.

Obit also published in Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post (TX) - Wed., September 18, 2013