Burchfield honored as Port Neches Mother of the Year

MIKE TOBIAS
The Port Arthur News

PORT NECHES May 04, 2008 07:24 pm

— There is a treasure in Port Neches, and no, it’s not the RiverFest one that Edith Burchfield found the other day.
Edith Burchfield is the treasure.
At 82-years-old, Burchfield has become the first Port Neches resident to double as RiverFest treasure hunt winner and Mother of the Year.
Mayor Glenn Johnson was on hand, clad in Bermuda shorts, to present Burchfield with the honor on a very clear and sunny Sunday afternoon at Port Neches Park.
“She is an amazing woman,” Port Neches Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Plaia remarked following the presentation.
“It was a tough decision; All of the letters were amazing, but after reading the one her daughter submitted, the judges just felt Mrs. Burchfield deserved it.”
According to Mrs. Burchfield’s daughter, Virginia Wallace, she and her siblings had always wanted to write a nomination letter but had always “just missed” the deadline to do so.
“Over the years, our mom has assisted our father (James Daniel Burchfield) through recovery of heart sugeries and was his strongest support after he had a very severe stroke,” the letter reads. “She has nursed recovery o tonsillectomies, broken bones, broken hearts, and was saddened by the death of a wonderful son-in-law.”
As the letter was being read, a look of surprise overcame Burchfield’s face when she realized what was taking place. Upon receiving her sash from Miss Port Neches Brooke Roy, and other various gifts, the long-time PN-G football season ticket holder was treated to the playing of the Indians’ anthem, “Cherokee.”
“She and my dad currently hold 50 yard-line season tickets and are awaiting completion of the new stadium,” Wallace’s letter continued. “They sincerely bleed purple.”

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