Obituary for Olivia Burton Harrington
Olivia Ann Burton Harrington, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2022. Olivia was born December 2, 1942, in Waxahachie, Texas to Cecil O. Burton and Virginia Ruth Pierce. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Marcus M. & Lillian Hastings Harrington and brothers-in-law Wayne Lee Harrington and Dennis Harrington. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Fred Harrington; two daughters, Angela Kae Harrington Heck and her husband, Bob of Midlothian, Texas and Teenya Elizabeth Harrington Barnard and her husband, Alan of Rockport, Texas; grandchildren Rachel Hall and her husband, Cody; Daniel Barnard and his fiancé, Megan; Blaire Barnard, and children Doricee, Delyla, Delanie and Denalie Majors; sister-in-law Anna Kay Maples and her husband Don and brother-in-law Warren Harrington and Debbie. Not to be forgotten are numerous loving cousins, family and friends.
Olivia attended Waxahachie Schools from Kindergarten until she graduated in 1961. During her school years, she participated in the Outstanding Homemaking and FHA Organizations, becoming President of both during her membership. Olivia was nominated to the Homecoming Court in 1958, was a member of Y-Teens Club, Girls League, Scholarship Club and Office Staff of Counselor. She also served on the Annual Staff and was honored with the Outstanding Century Club Leadership Award upon graduation. Last, but not least, Olivia was a member of the Waxahachie Charmers Drill Team in its inaugural year.
Olivia was active at the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie, attending Methodist Youth Fellowship (“MYF”) from sixth grade until her senior year. Olivia was also the Secretary to the Subdistrict and District MYF during her school years and attended camp at Glen Lakes Senior Assembly at Georgetown Midwestern, in Fayetteville, Arkansas and the National Convocation at Purdue University, in Lafayette, Indiana. As an adult, Olivia became active in the United Methodist Women (“UMW”) and was recognized as a Life Member of the organization.
Not only was Olivia dedicated and involved with her church family, she was also active throughout the community, even carrying the Title of Miss Jr. Lake Whitney, an organization for which she was not only a Participant but also a Coordinator, Judge and avid supporter, attending many shows and events for years to follow.
Olivia attended North Texas University for two and half years where she met her love and husband, Fred. Fred and Olivia married June 22, 1964 in Duncanville where they resided for 36 years before returning to Olivia’s hometown of Waxahachie.
Olivia was an accomplished writer having personally written or assisted in compiling three published books: My Mother Didn’t Cook, her favorite recipes, Family Genealogy, Fred & Olivia’s Family History, and The Wagon Master, which was her father’s autobiography and travel log.
Olivia was a 7th generation born-and-raised Texan who was proud of her heritage—becoming a Charter Member in 1971 of the Denton Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and later as a member of the Duncanville Chapter.
In typical Olivia form, she became a Charter member in 1964 of Theta Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (“ESA”) and remained active until her passing. In addition to ESA, Olivia kept herself busy by staying active in the Duncanville Genealogy Society, Duncanville Review Club, Ellis County Genealogy Society, Historic Waxahachie-Life Member, Ellis County Art Association-Life Member, Old Chisholm Trail Chapter DAR, Board member of Historic Waxahachie, the Waxahachie Book Club throughout the years and her beloved Covenant Sunday School Class.
Olivia also had worn several career hats, all directed at youth benefit programs including being the Y-Teen Director of Oak Cliff, Irving, Duncanville and Cedar Hill, where she helped Y-Teen clubs in the public schools form and prosper for the benefit of the local youth. Olivia assisted in locating volunteers, teacher advisors and helped coordinate the students. The Y-Teen Clubs worked with Five Pillar Goals during the year: Academics, College Knowledge, Positive Relationships, Life Skills and Positive Identity. Olivia enjoyed watching the youth succeed and grow for over thirteen years.
Because of Olivia’s lifelong involvement with youth programs, she was often honored with accolades and roles within the community. She was Coordinator for the implementation of Teen Court in Duncanville and because of this position, she had the opportunity to attend the National Teen Court Conference in 1995. Olivia became incredibly involved with the North Texas Teen Court Coordinators, State and National, helping organize the Texas Teen Court Association. She served as an officer and president of the TTCA, ultimately becoming the recipient of the TTCA Hall of Fame Award in 2005 and the Duncanville High School Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2005.
After many years of making a difference in the lives of struggling teens and seeing them enjoy opportunities and achieve their goals, she finally retired at the age of 65 to start traveling. Whoo-hoo!!
Olivia had a passion to travel and explore, making many friends along the way from the Magic Carpet Travel Trailer. During her working career, Fred and Olivia traveled throughout Texas and during retirement, covered the continental USA and Canada. They enjoyed writing emails, letters and sending pictures to their friends and family. Olivia even started a blog to document the travels of her and Fred.
Olivia will be missed by all that knew her and loved her. The Family would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Olivia’s name to the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie or a charity of your choice.
Olivia attended Waxahachie Schools from Kindergarten until she graduated in 1961. During her school years, she participated in the Outstanding Homemaking and FHA Organizations, becoming President of both during her membership. Olivia was nominated to the Homecoming Court in 1958, was a member of Y-Teens Club, Girls League, Scholarship Club and Office Staff of Counselor. She also served on the Annual Staff and was honored with the Outstanding Century Club Leadership Award upon graduation. Last, but not least, Olivia was a member of the Waxahachie Charmers Drill Team in its inaugural year.
Olivia was active at the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie, attending Methodist Youth Fellowship (“MYF”) from sixth grade until her senior year. Olivia was also the Secretary to the Subdistrict and District MYF during her school years and attended camp at Glen Lakes Senior Assembly at Georgetown Midwestern, in Fayetteville, Arkansas and the National Convocation at Purdue University, in Lafayette, Indiana. As an adult, Olivia became active in the United Methodist Women (“UMW”) and was recognized as a Life Member of the organization.
Not only was Olivia dedicated and involved with her church family, she was also active throughout the community, even carrying the Title of Miss Jr. Lake Whitney, an organization for which she was not only a Participant but also a Coordinator, Judge and avid supporter, attending many shows and events for years to follow.
Olivia attended North Texas University for two and half years where she met her love and husband, Fred. Fred and Olivia married June 22, 1964 in Duncanville where they resided for 36 years before returning to Olivia’s hometown of Waxahachie.
Olivia was an accomplished writer having personally written or assisted in compiling three published books: My Mother Didn’t Cook, her favorite recipes, Family Genealogy, Fred & Olivia’s Family History, and The Wagon Master, which was her father’s autobiography and travel log.
Olivia was a 7th generation born-and-raised Texan who was proud of her heritage—becoming a Charter Member in 1971 of the Denton Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and later as a member of the Duncanville Chapter.
In typical Olivia form, she became a Charter member in 1964 of Theta Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (“ESA”) and remained active until her passing. In addition to ESA, Olivia kept herself busy by staying active in the Duncanville Genealogy Society, Duncanville Review Club, Ellis County Genealogy Society, Historic Waxahachie-Life Member, Ellis County Art Association-Life Member, Old Chisholm Trail Chapter DAR, Board member of Historic Waxahachie, the Waxahachie Book Club throughout the years and her beloved Covenant Sunday School Class.
Olivia also had worn several career hats, all directed at youth benefit programs including being the Y-Teen Director of Oak Cliff, Irving, Duncanville and Cedar Hill, where she helped Y-Teen clubs in the public schools form and prosper for the benefit of the local youth. Olivia assisted in locating volunteers, teacher advisors and helped coordinate the students. The Y-Teen Clubs worked with Five Pillar Goals during the year: Academics, College Knowledge, Positive Relationships, Life Skills and Positive Identity. Olivia enjoyed watching the youth succeed and grow for over thirteen years.
Because of Olivia’s lifelong involvement with youth programs, she was often honored with accolades and roles within the community. She was Coordinator for the implementation of Teen Court in Duncanville and because of this position, she had the opportunity to attend the National Teen Court Conference in 1995. Olivia became incredibly involved with the North Texas Teen Court Coordinators, State and National, helping organize the Texas Teen Court Association. She served as an officer and president of the TTCA, ultimately becoming the recipient of the TTCA Hall of Fame Award in 2005 and the Duncanville High School Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2005.
After many years of making a difference in the lives of struggling teens and seeing them enjoy opportunities and achieve their goals, she finally retired at the age of 65 to start traveling. Whoo-hoo!!
Olivia had a passion to travel and explore, making many friends along the way from the Magic Carpet Travel Trailer. During her working career, Fred and Olivia traveled throughout Texas and during retirement, covered the continental USA and Canada. They enjoyed writing emails, letters and sending pictures to their friends and family. Olivia even started a blog to document the travels of her and Fred.
Olivia will be missed by all that knew her and loved her. The Family would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Olivia’s name to the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie or a charity of your choice.