Lola Mae Burney, daughter of the late Bill and Alice (Owens) Sanders, was born Nov. 16, 1929, in Mountain Grove, and went to her heavenly home Jan. 24, 2021, in Houston. She was 91 years, 2 months and 8 days of age. Lola was married to the Rev. Troy Burney on April 2, 1942, and celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries together. Lola attended Southwest Missouri College in Springfield (now known as Missouri State University) pursuing a teaching degree. Most of Lola’s adult life she worked as a bookkeeper while following Troy from one coast to the other and from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Fort Hood, Texas, and many Army bases between these points. Most of their military assignments were for three years, necessitating Lola to start her career over with each military transfer. Troy and Lola were a great team; they started many churches along the way in Alaska, Texas, and several in Missouri. Often, they would start the churches in their home. Lola was always the example of Proverbs 31. In later years this couple, still wanting to serve others, purchased two 15 passenger vans and drove their Amish friends all over the United States.
Besides her parents, Lola was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Troy Burney; one daughter, Sandra Faye Lowrance and her husband, Jerry; one great-grandson, Tyler Green; five brothers, Roy, Clyde, Don, Wayne and Dean Sanders; and one sister, Ruby Smith. Lola is survived by four daughters, Sherlyn Blackwell and her husband, Dale, of Jonesboro, Ark.; Glenda Delcour and her husband, Danny, of Houston; Debbie Crisp, of Paragould, Ark.; and Dayla Burney and her husband, David, of Fairbanks, Alaska; nine grandchildren, Terri Tango, Bill Lowrance, David Blackwell, Dennis Blackwell, Derek Blackwell, Michael Delcour, Sarah Massey, Kimberly Mathews and Nathaniel Kalnas; 18 great-grandchildren, Arika Leka, Shelby Mason, Bo Mason, Addison Lowrance, Huck Lowrance, Beau Blackwell, Luke Blackwell, Brooklyn Blackwell, Cole Blackwell, Scarlett Blackwell, Beckett Blackwell, Brooklyn Delcour, Grant Delcour, Malia Delcour, Callie Green, Emily Green, Dawson Mathews and Lincoln Mathews; one great-great-grandchild, Max Leka; and many other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.
Visitation for Lola Burney was held Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, from 1-2 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Funeral services followed the visitation at 2 p.m., also at the Funeral Home, with Bro. Dale Blackwell and Bro. David Blackwell officiating. Song selections were “The Sun Is Coming Up,” “Beulah Land” and “I Won’t Have To Cross Jordan Alone” sung by Karen Moore.
Michael Delcour, Dennis Blackwell, Derek Blackwell, Bill Lowrance, Bo Mason and Nathaniel Kalnas served as pallbearers. David Oldfather and Grant Delcour served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was in Coldwater Cemetery, Manes, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s charity of choice. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
