Mildred Burkhart, 100, of Fairfield, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 in Fairfield. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Skinner and Rev. Paul Gauntt officiating. Interment followed at Antioch Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers were Hugh Stroud, Lathan Stroud, Sid Stroud, Donald Mullen, Mark Chavers and Elton Moore.
Mrs. Burkhart, a lifelong resident of Freestone County, was born May 3, 1921 in the Turlington community to parents Fred and Autie Stroud Richardson who were long time members of Calvary Baptist Church. Her father Fred served as a deacon for many years and her mother, Autie, serving as church pianist for many years accompanying music directors J. D. Harris, Henry Tisdale and others. She lived most of her early life in the Post Oak community. Mildred married Clay Burkhart on August 6, 1938 and they lived in Fairfield where Clay was employed by Parker Chevrolet briefly in the late 1940’s and later owned and operated Burkhart’s Paint and Body Works. He preceded her in death on April 25, 1989.
As a teen, Mildred sang with the Post Oak Girls Quartet composed of Mildred, Gene Richardson (Mildred’s sister), Martha and Ruth Chavers (sisters). They were accompanied by Autie Richardson and later by longtime friend Webb Hughes. The quartet sang in churches and other local events but also performed on radio station KRLD and at the Stamps Music School, both in Dallas, Texas. The quartet disbanded as the individual members married. All are now deceased with Mildred’s passing. Mildred was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church since the early 1940’s. She served in capacities as Sunday school teacher, choir member and Church Flower Committee with the late Pearl Willard. Mildred was also a professional artist specializing in oil landscapes for approximately 50 years.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by an older brother, Newburn Richardson and a younger sister, Gene Richardson Orand.
Left to cherish her memory are three sons, Paul Burkhart and wife Carol of Plano, Texas; Bill Burkhart and wife Jan of Edgewood, Texas; Alan Burkhart of Laurel, Mississippi. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and all of her friends at Calvary Baptist Church.
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