Josephine Davila Burdette

Josephine Davila “Jo” Burdette entered the kingdom of Heaven on February 10th, 2022, in Buda, TX, surrounded by her loved ones.

On June 22nd, 1933, she was born in Laredo, TX, to Celestino and Genoveva Davila, the second youngest of twelve siblings. She attended Laredo Junior College and worked in a local laundromat to support her mother and herself. Then one day, she went on a blind date with a young man named Frank, stationed at the Air Base in Laredo. On November 11, 1954, she married Frank T. Burdette of Waco, TX.

His U.S. Air Force career saw them first to London, England, then to Nevada, and California before returning to Texas to Laredo, where Jo and their two children lived while he was in Viet Nam. They were then stationed in Waco, TX, before finally choosing Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, in 1968.

Thus began their life in Buda, Texas, where Jo established a wonderful home for her family. When not caring for her family and loved ones, she spent much of the next 50+ years sharing her time and love with her Santa Cruz Catholic Church family and her local community.

She was a devout Catholic and an active leader in her church. When the opportunity arose to create a new home for the parish, she stepped up as a member of the Building Committee. She served and led as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Altar Society for many years. Her commitment to her church is evidenced by her name on a plaque at the door of Santa Cruz Catholic Church, alongside her fellow church community leaders.

Other examples of her leadership; when her neighborhood was incorporated into the City of Hays, TX in 1979, for 19 years, she served as the City Secretary. She worked as a Hays County election official for over 30 years. In 2019, the Hays County League of Women Voters, the Hays County Commissioners Court, and the Hays County Elections Administrator honored Jo as one of the County’s longest-serving election workers. She was also an active member of Onion Creek Senior Center was once named Citizen of the Year in Buda, TX. She was a talented seamstress, a licensed cosmetologist, and the baker of thousands of bake sale cakes and special-order birthday cakes for loved ones.

Preceded in death by Frank in 2000, she married John A. Kinnett in 2002, sharing her life with him until his passing in 2016. The last of her siblings to pass away, Jo was the matriarch of the Davila family.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Pioquinto R. Davila, Roberto Davila, Eduardo Davila, Rudolfo Davila, Enrique Davila, and Raul Davila. Also, her three sisters with whom she enjoyed very close relationships, Estela D. Gaona, Ester D. Hill, and Beatrice Davila.

She is survived by her two children, their spouses, and their children. Her son Steven J. Burdette (Angie) Matheau, Marcus, Mitchell, Steven, and Micah. JoAnn Burdette DePenning (Layton), Joel (Mallorie), and Anna Celeste. She is also survived by John Kinnett’s loved ones, including his daughter, Liz, and sons, Larry and Dan. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, dear friends and neighbors, and her best friend, Esperanza “Hope” Palacios.

A memorial mass will be held at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda, TX, on Saturday, March 12th, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Josie will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Laredo, TX., at a later date.

Whether you knew her as Jo, Josie, JoJo, Aunt Jo, Tia Josie, Mom, or Grandma, she was an effervescent soul with so much love to give. She will be greatly missed by her family and those who were lucky enough to be a part of her life.
Please consider contributing to Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Josie’s honor in place of flowers.

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