Kathleen Estelle Buras' Obituary
Kathleen Estelle Buras, “Nana” passed away peacefully on August 7, 2019 at 12:43 pm in the care of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Kathleen was a native Houstonian, born in the Heights on September 8, 1934 to parents Allen Dock Reeves and Ruth Foster Reeves. She was raised by her mother, Ruth and stepfather, Bernard A. Ragazinsky, whom she loved dearly. She graduated from Reagan High School.
Her life’s work was raising her five children and loving on her grandchildren and great grandsons. She began her professional career as a volunteer at Memorial Northwest Hospital and retired 35 years later as the Director of Outpatient Services. Then, she began her second career as the Early Childhood Administrative Assistant at Our Savior Lutheran School where she worked until May 2019. When asked about her job, she’d describe it as “dispensing hugs and band aids”.
Her love for children led her to teach a four year-old Sunday School Class for many years at Champion Forest Baptist Church where she was a member.
Her greatest joy was spending time with her family hosting countless dinners, playing games, going to the beach and celebrating holidays, especially Christmas, and birthdays. Kathleen and her family celebrated 45 years of annual gatherings at Surfside Beach in July this year.
Other favorite past-times included gardening, traveling, reading and cooking. She was especially known for the “best potato salad in the world” served in her big yellow bowl.
She was preceded in death by her mother, stepfather, brothers and daughter, Susan A. Pipkin. She is survived by her remaining four children Ruth Wheat and husband Buck, Mary Helen Buras, Patti Jones and husband Steve, Kenneth Buras and wife Elizabeth, son-in-law Lynn Pipkin and honorary daughter, Mary Margaret Williford.
She is also survived by her sister Alice McDonald and husband Ron, grandchildren Jennifer and Desley Kellum, Ashlee and Joel Wilson, Jacque and James Hayes, Chase and Joanna McCurdy, Chelsea McCurdy, Jeremiah Jones, Jacob Buras and Katelyn Pipkin and great grandsons, Corban and Cy Kellum, Connor McCauley and Benjamin McCurdy.
A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 10:00 am in the chapel of Champion Forest Baptist Church – Champions Campus located at 15555 Stuebner Airline, Houston TX 77069. A reception will be held following the service for friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Champion Forest Baptist Church Pre-School Ministry or Our Savior Lutheran School Early Childhood, 5000 W. Tidwell Rd, Houston TX 77091.
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