Margaret Inez Burnett, 93, of Fairfield, Texas and longstanding ties to Port O’Connor, passed away on Thursday, April 16 in Fairfield. Inez’ father, John T. Williams, served as pastor at First Baptist Church from February 1966 to December 1967. Her eldest son, Mike, had fond memories of spending time in Port O’Connor with his grandparents and he eventually purchased property here in 1995, moving to Port O’Connor full-time in 2003. Inez visited here several times every year and was an avid fisherman who usually caught the biggest fish on every trip! One of our favorite pictures is attached, showing her 45 lb., 42” Black Drum.

Inez was born August 11, 1926 in Waco, TX to parents John Taylor Williams, Sr. and Minnie Lea Grant. She graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1943 and received her Bachelor’s degree in physical education from Hardin College in 1949, along with a teaching certificate in elementary education. She married James August Burnett, Jr. on June 18, 1949. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 13 years and then went to work at Bracewell Library in Houston for 8 years. She received her Master’s degree in Library Science in 1976 and in 1977 became the librarian at Fairfield High School. She retired in 2003 after 26 years of service.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James August Burnett, Jr; her sister Martha Jim Williams; her sisters and brothers-in-law Dorothy and Wayne Parton, Bettye and Don Stout, and her brother and sister-in-law John and Ernie Williams.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons and two daughters: Mike Burnett and wife “Sam” of Port O’Connor, TX; Gail DiGeronimo of Knoxville, TN, Sue Hoke and husband Tom of Fairfield, TX, and Pat Burnett of Fairfield TX. She is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Stadler and wife Kristi; Angela Laham and husband Ailee; James Hoke, Molly Fleming and husband Jonathan, and great-grandchildren Jax and Jett Stadler, Maya and Michael Laham, Alice Hoke, Clayton and Wyatt Fleming.

She loved her family and was well-loved in return. Her love for the Lord showed in her service to Him, to her family, to her friends and to others. Outdoors was where she preferred to be. Now she is home and God is wrapping her in His love and telling her “well done, my good and faithful servant.”