Judy Ann Allison Burns, a devoted mom, dearly beloved “Gram,” loyal sister and cousin, dedicated educator, and loving wife passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, surrounded by her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, learning, friendship, and support that enriched the lives of all who knew her. A memorial visitation in her honor will be at 10:00am, Monday, December 22, 2025 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home with a memorial service following at 11:00am. 

Born on October 2, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas to Sidney Bernadine Carlisle Allison and William Odell Allison, Judy grew up at 423 West Mandalay Drive, along with her precious sister Sheri Lyn Allison. She and her friends were known as the “Five Js on Mandalay”. Her childhood was filled with friendships, pets, sports, and the vibrant community of First Baptist Church San Antonio, where she was baptized on her ninth birthday in 1955. A proud alumna of Thomas Edison High School, she cheered as a member of the Honey Bear Pep Squad.

Judy began her college education at San Antonio College (SAC) before transferring to Baylor University, where she graduated as a devoted Baylor Bear in May 1968. While at SAC, the next chapter of her life began when she went on a blind date set up by her good friend, Ricky Bublitz (Thanks, Ricky!). John Burns took her to dinner and a John Wayne movie, and from then on, the only time they were apart was during his Navy service in Vietnam. She was always proud of John’s military service, and was so thankful when he returned safe and sound. They were married on June 22, 1968, and spent nearly 54 years together, full of love, laughter, and life, until he passed away in 2022.

Judy taught from 1968-1970 but was asked to resign when she became pregnant with David. She was not happy about being asked to resign, and would point this out whenever she told the story over the years. She wanted the freedom to make her own choices, and that was a life lesson she shared with her kids and grandkids. She stayed home with David until 1973. After a brief return to work, she resigned again, this time by choice, to welcome her daughter, Darci in 1974.

The family moved to Houston in 1975, living in apartments until they purchased their home on Girnigoe Drive in 1977, where she would make lifelong friends with neighbors. There she raised David and Darci, supporting their various interests and activities with enthusiasm, loving and guiding them through the struggles, heartbreak, milestones, and celebrations of growing up. There was lots of laughter, especially around the dinner table. She was always willing to laugh at herself.

Judy returned to teaching in Katy ISD in 1979. After a short break from 1982-83, she settled into “Room 3” at Bear Creek Elementary for the next two decades. She was a cornerstone of the campus, teaching hundreds of students and mentoring many teachers. She made a positive impact on countless lives during her time as an educator.

Her faith was a foundation of her life, first professing her faith in Christ when she was 9 years old, then serving in her local church throughout her life. She was a charter member of the new mission church, Bear Creek Baptist Church in 1978. She remained active there for nearly 30 years, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She had many close friendships within her BCBC community during her years in Houston.

Her lifelong love of sports began with her father taking her to San Antonio Missions baseball games. With several coaches and educators in the family, her childhood was filled with sports. Shortly after it opened in 1965, she, John, and Ricky attended several games in the Astrodome. Once in Houston, she developed a fierce loyalty and love for all Houston sports, especially her beloved Astros. She watched every single Astros game on TV, usually grading papers while she watched in the evenings. She loved to watch them in person and attended many games with her family in the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park. She and John even vacationed in Florida to attend Astros spring training camp. She and John also followed the Baylor Bears sports teams as well, and attended many women’s and men’s basketball, football, and baseball games after moving to Waco in 2007.

Judy and John moved to Waco, Texas, to be closer to their growing number of grandchildren; by 2009, there were seven. Helping with Jack, Aleah, Bella, Clara, Bennett, Sidney, and Xander kept her busy, and she cherished being “Gram” to all of them. She loved supporting them anyway she could, including attending many concerts, games, and activities. She was beacon of light to her grandchildren, sharing love, wisdom, and encouragement, along with plenty of fun and laughter. At family get-togethers, she always made sure there was something playful planned, like Rudolph noses for everyone to wear for the family picture. Gram and Pappy’s house was always full of laughter and joy, while somehow staying meticulously clean and well-organized.

After arriving in Waco, she quickly immersed herself in FBC Woodway, serving as a pillar of the community through VBS, the Sunday School Class Director, Book Club, and her Lunch Group. She served Woodway elementary school by organizing a tutoring ministry called Reading Buddies, which helped first graders learn to read. She developed deep and wonderful friendships in her life group, friends that shared laughter, meals, travel, books, and celebrations together. These beautiful and faithful friends stood by her, supported her and loved her as she first lost her husband, and then slowly lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, visiting her through her final days.

Judy was a natural organizer, planner, and coordinator. She regularly used her gift for coordination to serve those around her, allowing others to enjoy a well-planned family reunion, Christmas party, classroom, Sunday School, vacation, or simply a visit to her home, where she enjoyed hosting friends and family over the years.

She enjoyed traveling, talking her family on trips to DisneyWorld, Nashville, Ruidoso, Yellowstone, and more. Her first plane trip was in 1993 to Las Vegas, and she later loved traveling with John, and together they visited Canada, South Dakota, Big Bend, Boston, Florida, and several trips and cruises with friends and family.

She lived her final days very bravely. She retained her sense of humor and was always willing to laugh at a joke, even at the end. Supporting her during the last 12 months was a team effort, including many family and friends. The family is especially grateful to the staff at The Blake Memory Care unit, who got to know and love Mom over the last 12 months as they cared for her during this difficult period of her life.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, John Burns. We are thankful that they are no longer separated. She is survived by sister, Sheri Lyn Wright, brother-in-law Dave Wright, niece Allison Wright and family; nephew Kyle Wright and family; son, David Robert Burns, daughter-in-law Amber, grandchildren Aleah Karen, Bella Ann, Clara Sidney, and Alexander David; daughter, Darci Michele Jernigan, son-in-law Sean, grandchildren Jack William, Bennett John, and Sidney Cate; along with the many students, colleagues, cousins, and friends that knew her in life. She was a treasured friend, a beloved sister, mom and Gram, and she will remain a part of our lives forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Children's Ministrty at FBC Woodway or St. Judes.