Jerry Loyd Burch

Jerry Vinitia Loyd came into this world on January 21, 1941, in Wickes, Arkansas, the oldest of 9 children born to Arthur Phinos (A.P.) and Minnie Mae Loyd. Jerry was raised in Grannis, attending primary school in Wickes and graduating from Gillham High School. After graduation, she moved to Texas and found work as a keypunch operator in Downtown Dallas. It wasn't long before she met Bobby Joe Burch, whom she wed in 1961. The two of them raised a daughter and son, living in Dallas for several years and later moving to Rowlett, Texas.

The following family members joyfully met Jerry at Heaven's gates: her parents A.P. and Minnie Mae Loyd; sister Joan Callicoat; brothers Udell, Odell, Duayne, and John Loyd; son Paul Burch; granddaughter Baylor Williams; and her loving dog, Chelsea.

Jerry is survived by her daughter, Glenda Williams and son-in-law John Williams; brothers Donnie Loyd, Gary Loyd, and Bill Loyd; grandchildren Charlet Morris (and husband Matthew), Wendy Williams, Jillian Zunica, Holly Tomic (and husband Nikola), and John Williams (and wife BreeAnn). She will also be missed by her great-grandchildren: Eli, Luka and Emma Tomic; Aiden, Nicholas, Julia, and Sadie Zunica; Levi and Morgan Williams; and Brinkley and Brighton Campbell.

If you knew Jerry, you loved her. You never had to wonder if she loved you back, because she gave you her whole heart. She was selfless, generous, wise and forgiving. She was always ready with advice that was so sensible, you wondered how in the world you didn’t think of the solution yourself. Somehow she cut through the clutter that clouded your vision. That wisdom was balanced with a goofy sense of humor. If you threw something totally off-the-wall her way, she’d offer a comeback of her own accompanied by a hearty laugh. Even when she was bedridden and in her final days, she never lost her ability to find humor in just about anything. The comment “I will see you again soon” was likely to be met with a mischievous grin and the words “I will be right here when you get back… MAYBE”.

Jerry enjoyed old-time country music and loved to dance. She spent much of her free time visiting family and friends. She was frequently in attendance at the Bristol Opry, and at the jam sessions held at the Bristol General Store. Most of all, she was devoted to God and her friends at J-Bar-C Cowboy Church in Palmer. We can well imagine Jerry dancing in the clouds while listening to the heavenly choir. Watch over us, dear lady, until we meet again.