Hattie Ellen Burr

Hattie Ellen (Welch) Burr received her heavenly reward on August 17, 2023, at her home in North Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of ninety-five years. Hattie was born to Thomas Welch and Dorothy Braddy Welch on July 23, 1928, in Oakdale, Louisiana. She met Reverend Murray E. Burr, a young evangelist, and United States Army veteran, and they were married on December 24, 1946. During the early years of their marriage, the Burrs pastored churches in both Texas and Oklahoma and welcomed their only daughter, Janet Lynn. In 1953, the Burrs settled in the city of Port Arthur, Texas, to assume the pastorate of Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church for the next forty-two years. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Hattie welcomed many into her home, serving them homecooked southern cuisine on her finely curated china. She faithfully directed the Faith Tabernacle Ladies’ Circle on Wednesday mornings where she led devotionals, prayer, and plans for their annual craft sale (an event to raise money for missions and any other projects within the church).

Hattie is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of fifty-eight years Reverend Murray E. Burr, her darling daughter, Janet Lynn (Burr) Holmes, two sisters Hilda (Welch) Martino and Helen (Welch) Scheel, and her brother James H. Welch. She leaves behind her beloved sister, Doris Faye (Welch) Seaman, her son-in-law of forty-three years, Reverend Joel N. Holmes, granddaughter, Andrea and husband Roger Cypert, grandson Reverend J. Nathan Holmes, II and wife, Amanda, and five great-grandchildren, Cydney Ellen, and Claire Elizabeth Cypert, Benson Murray, Beatrice Caroline, and Camilla Estelle Holmes.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, followed by a funeral at 7:00 PM at First Pentecostal Church, North Little Rock.  Entombment will begin at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Rest Hills Memorial Park.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170.