Sondra Pearl Burns

Sondra Pearl Burns, cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend, was born on October 20, 1965, in Buffalo, Oklahoma, to Aaron & Clarice Miller. She was welcomed to the family by her older sisters Tawanda & LaRhonda. She grew up in Knowles, Oklahoma attending kindergarten to second grade at Forgan Schools. Then the family later moved where she attended Gate School up until the 8th grade. Another family move put them in Gage where she graduated with the Class of 1983.

She started dating the love of her life, Brian Burns, when she was 16 & married on October 22, 1983, at the age of 18. They made their home in Gage & was blessed with three sons; Justin (1986), Austin (1987), & Dustin (1989). They acquired a milk cow to keep up with those growing boys. The family spent their weekends going to the railroad tracks and making their own fun on every creek & railroad from Higgins to Alva. Not only was she a committed mother to her own children but a mother to any child who came to their home.

She worked as a substitute teacher at Gage Schools, helped at the Gage City Office, became a secretary at the Shawnee Milling, then spent 20 years as a secretary with Ellis County. She enjoyed gardening—growing all kinds of plants; even a toothpick would grow, cooking—there was never a horrible meal, she made the very best hot rolls & cinnamon rolls, baking beautiful cakes—she especially loved making them for her grandkids, the outdoors—camping trips at the lake, & also various creative hobbies from candles, soap, & t-shirt making. Without a doubt her most favorite hobby of all time was keeping up with her grandkids. These kids were her absolute joy, there was never a shortage of love for any one of them. Sleepovers, soda, & “Shawn the Sheep”. It was never a dull moment when entertaining them. Everytime before saying goodbye, she’d always have them chanting “Grandma’s number one!” She adored her grandchildren with every ounce of her being.

Sondra was a cherished sister, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, & friend. She was preceded in death by her daddy Aaron Miller, Grandparents Ella Shaw & Henry Miller, Brother David Miller, Grandparents Fred & Dolly Dodd, Father in law Bill Ray Burns.

She is survived by her loving husband Brian Burns, sons Justin Burns of Shattuck, Austin & Lacy Burns of Gage, Dustin & Corina Burns of Seiling, Mother Clarice Miller of Shattuck, Sisters LaRhonda & Mike Cline of Shattuck, & Tawanda Starbuck of Shattuck, 13 grandchildren [Weston of Shattuck] [Emelia, Eli, Ethan, Emmalynn, Ettaline, Ezekiel, Ella Jo, Eightlee, & Ezra of Gage] [Addie, Boston, & Ean of Seiling]. Nieces Daysha Cline of Shattuck, Kristy & Tony Contreras of Shattuck, Kasey & Eric of Woodward, Andrew & Lindsey of Woodward. Adopted son Jerad Clark and his family Jenny, Teagan, Rowdy, and Brantley. With many friends & family.

Sondra’s love and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Grandma’s Number One!