Letha Diane Burns passed from this world to the next on Friday, September 15th, 2023. She was strong-willed, generous, feisty, and loving, never failing to bring levity to a conversation with her quick wit and sense of humor.
Letha was born on February 2nd, 1942 in Bakersfield, California to Ernest Evert Paty and Ola Rada Paty. Their family of five moved to Texas, where she would go on to graduate from South Oak Cliff High School in 1961 and attend Dallas Business School. While raising her son in the Dallas area, she held many jobs in the medical field. Later in life, she followed her adventurous spirit, going on fishing expeditions with her husband, Richard “Dick” Burns, and traveling with him in his big rig for work. Together with their beloved dogs, the couple had the joy of seeing the majority of the United States.
In February of 2021, Dick passed away from complications of COVID-19. Without her husband of 49 years, Letha’s battle with dementia began to take a great toll. Though her loss on September 15th brought despair to many, that day also gave her the gift of eternal life with her husband without pain, confusion, and suffering – an outcome that her loved ones can acknowledge as a great joy.
Letha leaves behind countless friends and family, including her siblings, Ernest Eugene Paty and Rada Fern May; her son, Michael Edward Hicks Jr.; her stepchildren Pam Burns and Jeff Burns; her grandchildren, Tori Klaff, Trevor Hicks, Nora Hicks, and Kat Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Evert Paty and Ola Rada Paty; her husband, Richard “Dick” Burns; her stepchildren, Richard “Rick” Burns and Diane Burns; and her grandson, Austin Tyler Hicks.
Letha will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered along with her husband’s in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the Dementia Society of America.
*Obituary was written by family
