Suzanne Burden

Suzanne Neely Burden, age 88 years, 7 months and 6 days died on July 26, 2025. She had been living at Waterford Independent Living following several hospital stays and died there of congestive heart failure.

Suzanne Neely was born in McKinney, Texas to Thomas Dixon and Wanda Varie Lynn Neely. She was the 3rd of 4 children and their only daughter.

Suzanne married her high-school sweetheart, Ralph Eugene Harris in 1954, the summer after his graduation and before her senior year. Ralph attended Texas Wesleyan University while Suzanne finished Arlington Heights High School. In 1957 they had a daughter, Joni Lyn Harris and in 1960 they had a son, Timothy Scot Harris.

Suzanne and Ralph divorced in 1985, after 31 years of marriage. That summer Suzanne married Jimmy Lee Burden and they were happily married for 34 years. Suzanne and Jim retired from General Dynamics/Lockheed and they were able to enjoy their retirement for over 25 years, until his death in 2019.

Suzanne is survived by her daughter Joni and her husband Earl Breedlove, as well as her son Tim. She is also survived by Tim's children, Melissa Dawn Harris, her husband David Shamburger and their children Zoe Elaine and Owen William; plus Tim's son, Michael Scot Harris. Also surviving Suzanne is her step-daughter, Leesa Burden and her husband Jimmy Johnson; as well as nieces Dorothy Collins, Nancy Loven and nephew Clay Neely.

Suzanne loved doing all her crafting hobbies--sewing, quilting, the little-known art of quilling, painting, and card making. She also loved growing her roses and flower gardens. Suzanne will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.