Elinor Steinhagen Burrus

Elinor graduated from Beaumont High School and went on to Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.  Following graduation she moved back to Beaumont and worked for an architectural firm, Goldman Roth.  One evening she was at the Burrus home visiting her close friend, Felix Burrus, and she saw his older brother, Gene, and fell in love at first sight.  Elinor always said “if Gene had asked me to marry him after our first date, I would have said, Yes!”  They married six months later, took a six week honeymoon to the West Coast and moved into the historical Mildred Building upon their return.  They had two children, Vivian and Gene, III and enjoyed many years of travel, laughter, and lots of love. 

Elinor and Gene were charter members of Trinity United Methodist Church.  She was a member of the Junior League of Beaumont, the Magnolia Garden Club, the Texas Historical Society, the Nature Conservancy, and the National Parks Conservation Association.  Elinor loved the beach and finally convinced Gene to build a home there.  They spent almost thirty years living a wonderful life at Crystal Beach and this is where Elinor began her geneology research that spanned over twenty-five years.  Her efforts ended with a documented family history on both the Burrus and Steinhagen sides which she had printed for the family members to keep and pass on.  She was diligent in proving the lines and even contacted an East German courthouse where she convinced them to take her personal check for payment to mail certified birth certificates.  Elinor had a deep passion for conservation and the environment, especially coastal issues.  She received awards from The Garden Club of America and the Texas General Land Office awarded her with its first ever Volunteer of the Year for her continued efforts to combat coastal erosion on her beloved Bolivar Peninsula.  Her extensive data and photographs are still used by former Texas Congressman, Babe Schwartz in his coastal law classes.

Elinor is survived by her daughter, Vivian Burrus Todd and husband Jerry of Beaumont; son, Gene Burrus III and his wife Ruthie of Austin; grandchildren, Ellie Burrus Livesay and her husband Grant of Austin, Tyrrell Burrus, Laura Todd Weaver and her husband Jamie, Charles Burrus all of Houston, Daniel Todd of Bremerton, Washington, William Todd of College Station, and Chad Todd of Heath; great-granddaughter, Claire Livesay of Austin; brother-in-law, Felix Burrus of Beaumont; sister-in-law, Chloe Steinhagen of Granbury; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give heart-felt thanks to Dr. Alan Leifeste and Dr. Randy Lombardo, and the nurses and staff of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont whose compassion and care is so much appreciated.

It’s difficult to sum up one’s life in this way, but those who were fortunate enough to know Elinor will always remember her as a feisty little woman with a long ponytail who had her beliefs and convictions and lived life in the manner she chose.  The family deeply appreciates all the wonderful memories of Elinor shared by all her friends both young and seasoned.

Her funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 31, 2011, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin. The committal will be held at Broussard’s Crematorium.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Magnolia Garden Club, P.O. Box 642, Beaumont, Texas 77707, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726, or to the charity of your choice.