January 12, 1936-August 27, 2026

Elizabeth Lynn Weber Burford, at the ripe old age of 90, with family and friends by her side, passed from this life on August 27, 2026. Born in Washington, D.C. on January 12, 1936 to Helen Hawkins Weber and Macbeth Young Weber, she was a force to be reckoned with. An only child until the age of 14, she walked through this world boldly, filled with love and mirth. And when her sister, Grace Margaret was born, she took the job of older sister seriously up until the very end.

Graduating from the National Cathedral School in DC in 1954, she went on to attend George Washington University where she joined Chi Omega Sorority – until she met a young Episcopalian priest named Frederic Burford. They were married September 3, 1956. Shortly thereafter they moved to Texas, near her beloved Aunt Grace and Uncle Mason Briscoe where she had spent many months of her childhood recovering from multiple bouts of pneumonia. It was there in the Houston/Gulf Coast region of Texas that she and Fred settled down and started their own family. Welcoming three children over five years – Mary Elizabeth, Rebecca Lynn, and Frederic, IV, the family began in Houston, followed by Rosenberg, then Galena Park and finally on to Alvin in late 1967. Embracing all of the wonders of life in small town Texas, she settled in to her long and happy life including a deep passion for the Houston Astros that endured to the end.

Despite suffering a debilitating stroke at the age of 28, Elizabeth had an abundance of energy. She enjoyed travel both stateside and in Europe and the Middle East. Well into her 40s she went on to finish her college education, graduating from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She sang in the church choir (up until a few weeks ago!) A proud member of Daughters of the King, she took her evangelism to heart: participating in Cursillo for many years – including one of the first ever held in the Diocese of Texas; she also embraced and participated in Kairos prison ministries. She was an active and compassionate Friend of Bill’s for many years and a lifelong progressive who firmly believed that equal rights are human rights and deserved by everyone. Elizabeth was a staunch supporter of Democrat ideals, proudly supporting Ann Richards and Barack Obama among others. She longed for and was devising plans for the days when her beloved DC would be restored to its former glory.

She was a force of love and optimism, empathy and benevolence. She will be missed by many but we are all richer for having known her.

She is survived by her three children Mary Smith (Randy) of Alvin, Tx; Rebecca Burford (Teresa) of Hagerstown, Md; Rick Burford of Texas City, Tx. Her only (and therefore favorite) grandchild Avery Smith of Baton Rouge, La. Her sister Grace Johnson of Arizona; her nieces Sarah Smith and Molly Johnson, both of Arizona; Anne Marler of Idaho; and Shannon Jackson of Virginia. Her cousin Carole Babcock of Texas.

Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Alvin, Tx on Saturday October 10, 2026  at 11am. Light lunch and reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

The family respectfully requests the omission of flowers and suggests donations to Grace Episcopal Church food ministries or your own favorite charity.