Sondra Witt Burch, age 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 7, 2024. The day prior had been a day of love, laughter, and tears, surrounded by her loving family. Following a private family burial, a celebration of Sondra’s life is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 2:00PM at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Robinson, Texas with visitation for family and friends immediately following the service.
Sondra was born in Waco, Texas on March 27, 1936, to George Cleveland, Sr., and Virginia Craven Witt. She was a lifelong Waco resident and loved her community. She often reminisced about her family home on Washington Ave and the many mischievous escapades she and her brother Cleveland would get into as children and teens. As a young girl, Sondra and her mother Virginia knitted sweaters for WWII soldiers and entertained local soldiers from the USO by playing piano and organ duets and serving food in their home. During the Waco tornado of 1953, Sondra was having her senior portraits made at the studio of Jimmy Willis. These proofs were found 30 years later by Mr. Willis and personally delivered to the then Sondra Burch. Sondra attended Waco High School where she fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Jackson Bryce Burch and they married June 4, 1955. Sondra and Jack shared 53 wonderful years until Jack’s passing in 2008. As newlyweds, Jack served his country in the USAF. While stationed in Germany, Sondra’s fondest memories were being a member of the Officer’s Wives Club and the birth of her firstborn son, Bryce. Sondra continued her love of service to others by helping organize projects to aid refugees during the Hungarian Revolution. Upon returning to the states, Treacy and Ben arrived six years apart to the day, completing their family. She managed to raise three lively boys while maintaining poise, grace, and style. She was known to bring orange juice or lemonade out to the waste management collectors on occasion!
Sondra was proud of her heritage and the Waco community. She served on numerous placements through Junior League of Waco. Service was her gift, and she spent countless hours on local committees and Boards of Director including Waco Cotton Palace, United Way, Hedonia Club, Red Cross, Hillcrest Baptist Hospital Auxiliary, Providence Park Auxiliary, and many more. She coordinated blood drives, created Adopt A Grandparent programs and Adopt A School programs, and organized volunteer services and training through many local agencies. Even in her career choices, Sondra chose areas of service. After 25 years of serving as Director of Volunteer Services for Hillcrest Baptist Hospital she retired in 1997. She didn’t stay retired long and subsequently served as Director of Volunteer Services for Family Abuse Center, Director of Volunteer Services for United Way, Director of Human Resources for Brazos Psychiatric Hospital, and Director of Volunteer Services and Community Relations for Christus Regis St. Elizabeth.
Jack and Sondra prioritized family and Sunday lunch was expected at the Burch household. Some of the family’s most treasured memories are those Sunday lunches, and family vacations to Colorado, Mo Ranch, and grandchildren only trips to New York. Sondra wanted her children and grandchildren to see and experience the world and all that life has to offer. She valued creating memories with each one of them and enjoyed “breaking a few rules” for the sake of fun! Colton and Tanner were introduced to the fine skill and technique of “wrapping” houses in Castle Heights along with Friday night sleepovers and non-parent approved movies at Honey and Papa’s. Lottie, Amber, and Braxton were immersed in all thing’s “girly” such as dolls, tea parties and pretty dresses. She wanted her children and grandchildren to know that life’s rewards come first and foremost from a relationship with Jesus, a good work ethic, and treating people with kindness, love, and respect.
Following the devastating loss of her husband Jack and two of her sons, Treacy and Bryce, Sondra found love again with Ross Sams Jr. They were married on March 16, 2010. She often called Ross her Knight in Shining Armor. She and Ross loved to travel when their health permitted. When they were no longer able, they reminisced about the adventures they shared together and “planned” many trips that we all knew would never be taken. Sondra was an avid Lady Bears Basketball and Baylor Football fan, a Dallas Mavericks fan, and she grew to love Texas Longhorn Football, Ross’s alma mater.
Sondra and Ross both suffered the devastating effects of cognitive impairment (dementia) in their later years. As their respective impairments advanced and health declined, it became necessary for Sondra to move to an environment with caregivers who could provide compassionate, empathic, and loving care, as this could not be provided in her home. She spent her final years at Arbor House where she was known as their very own “Georgia Peach”! Sondra flourished under their loving and specialized care and the staff quickly became family. She loved each one of them and we cannot thank them enough for taking care of “Honey.” Sondra expressed her unwavering love for Ross until her death. As with Sondra, we take great comfort knowing that when Ross entered heaven, his body was healed, his mind was restored, and all truths revealed. We know that they loved each other dearly.
Sondra was a true “Southern Lady,” full of class and character. She was often compared to the late Audrey Hepburn who spoke the following words… “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
Sondra often exhibited this beauty in her kindness to others. She was the perfect hostess and became Pen Pals with many of the children of her close friends while they were away at college or in the military. She had a most giving heart and a beautiful soul.
Sondra is preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Jackson Bryce Burch Sr., and Ross Martin Sams Jr.; two sons, Treacy Andrew Burch, and Jackson Bryce Burch Jr; and brother and sister-in-law, George Cleveland, Jr., and Martha Witt.
Sondra is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Genie Burch; daughter-in-law, Tracy Burch Thompson and husband Darrell; sister-in-law, Catherine Burch Bass; grandchildren, Lottie Bullock and husband BJ, Amber Araiza and husband Icaro, Colton Burch and wife Meighann, Tanner Burch, and Braxton Burch; 6 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as her lifelong friends Betty Williams, Margie Allen, and Pat Dicorte.
Sondra’s grandchildren and their spouses will serve as honorary pallbearers.
At Sondra’s request, memorials may be made in her memory to, Meadowbrook Baptist Church Youth and Children’s Ministry Camp Scholarship Fund.
The following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote was found written in Sondra’s handwriting. “To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived…This is to have succeeded.” Honey, you have succeeded! Till we meet again…
Celebration Services and visitation are pending at this time. Please check back for updated information.
Sondra's family invites you to leave a message or memory on her "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.
