Sammie Burchard

    Arrangements for Sammie Wray Burchard, 81,of Denver City, Texas, are as follows:
    Visitation - Monday, 12/28/2020, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Ratliff Funeral Home, Denver City, Texas.
    Graveside service - Tuesday, 12/29/2020, 3 pm, Van Horn Cemetery, Van Horn, Texas.
    Sammie Wray Burchard went home to Jesus on December 17, 2020. She took her last breath on earth, peacefully, at home. Sammie was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Denver City, Texas. Her zeal for life was matched only by her love for her savior and compassion for others.
    Sammie Wray entered this world on March 28, 1939, in Jal, New Mexico. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Monterey “Sam” and Patricia Beckham. Sammie loved to reminisce about living and working on the family ranch, near Jal. Ranch life instilled in Sammie a fierce work ethic and a competitive nature that helped her accomplish much during her 81 years. Sammie won the New Mexico State High School Science Fair, twice, and placed fourth in the National Science Fair. She was crowned Miss Rodeo New Mexico and won the title of World Champion Breakaway calf roper in 1956.
    Sammie attended Texas Tech University where she met her future husband, Bobby Allen Burchard. She graduated from Baylor School of Anesthesia, beginning a career in anesthesia which she would love for over 47 years. As a CRNA, Sammie helped countless patients across rural West Texas and New Mexico. She served one term as president of the Texas Nurse Anesthetist Association, and one term as president of the National Nurse Anesthetist Association.
    Sammie married Bobby Allen Burchard on August 11, 1961, in Jal, NM. They moved to Lamesa, Texas in 1968 where they raised a son, Shawn Micheal, and a daughter, Kimberly Beth. Sammie and Bobby were married for 53 years.
    Sammie is preceded in death by her parents, Monterey and Patricia Beckham, husband, Bobby Allen Burchard, and brother, Monty Beckham.
    Sammie is survived by her son Shawn Burchard of Denver City, Texas, daughter, Beth Raney and husband Michael, of New Home, Texas, grandson, Samuel Allen Waldrip of Caldwell, Texas, grandson, Chase Raney and granddaughter Michaela Raney of Lamesa, Texas, sister in law, Billie Jean Beckham, of Jal, New Mexico, sister in law, LaRue Worley of Georgetown, Texas, sister in law Norma Burchard of Dripping Springs, Texas, brother Keith Beckham and wife Jennifer of Jal, New Mexico, sister Mary Russell and husband Ed, of Carrollton, Texas, sister Elizabeth Sanders and husband Dave, of Portales, New Mexico, and numerous nieces and nephews.
    In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Refuge Services, PO Box 53684, Lubbock, Texas, 79543.
    The family would like to thank Legacy of Love Hospice Services for the kindness and generosity shown to Mother and our family.
    A very special thank you to Shane Frankl, of Frankl Clinic, for treating mother like family. His love for her was apparent and he always went the extra mile.
– Press-Reporter obituary services