Ellene Viola (Gooden) Burkeen passed to our Savior on January 13, 2017. At the age of 93 years, 6 months and 25 days, she passed from our home to waiting Angel arms in Heaven. She was born to Lydia Arrene (Smith) and John Henry Gooden on June 18, 1923 in De Leon, Texas.

Ellene is survived by one daughter, Sue Brewer (Dennis). She was "Baba" to grandchildren Tom Duncan, Tammy Anderson, Robert Duncan, Lina Duncan, Mindi Turner, Ryan Bean, Cody Locke and bonus grandchildren Isaac Brewer, Melody Vela and Aimee Bean; 23 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Jimmie Rae Cogburn of De Leon, Hazel Hardwicke of Florida, and Bennie Lawson of Odessa, TX.
She was preceded in death by daughters Grace Locke and Barbara A. Duncan, grandson James Anthony Whitlock, her parents, her brother Johnny Gooden, and sisters Nell Burkeen and Betty Riddle.
Ellene was an LVN who received her treasured Nursing License under the guidance of the Terrell family of Doctors at Stephenville Hospital. She retired at the age of 70 after 33 years of caring for her patients with compassion, always striving to preserve their dignity.
She was a lifelong reader and loved to embroider quilts, tablecloths, and baby blankets for family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had one baby quilt designated as an "Honorable Mention" and displayed at the State Fair of Texas.
Ellene was also a staunch fan of the Texas Rangers baseball team and will be cheering them on from Heaven to a long awaited World Series Championship win.

Graveside Services are at 2 pm Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the De Leon (City) Cemetery, 680 Reynosa Street, De Leon, Texas, 76444, under the direction of Harrell Funeral Home in Dublin, Texas.