Jan. 18, 1941 – Sept. 28, 2022
Barbara Anne Burrus Bowser Vaughn Rodrigues was born on Jan. 18, 1941 in Winfield, Kansas to 25-year-old William Clarence Burrus and 19-year-old Mabel Frances Davenport. Brother James Roy was born Jan. 3, 1944. In 1945 the family packed up all of their belongings in their 1935 Ford, two-door sedan, and headed to California on Route 66.
They lived in a trailer until 1949 when their grandmother Frances Maude Rogers Davenport helped Bill and Mabel buy their first home at 3616 Urquidez, Glendale (Sparr Heights) near Montrose for $9,000; that was the same year Montrose saw several inches of snowfall.
Both Jim and Barbara attended John C. Fremont Elementary where they got to see rodeo trick rider Montie Montana perform on many occasions. They spent many afternoons hiking in the Verdugo Mountains up to the hot springs, taking the secret passageway from Urquidez to Oak Circle to roller skate, swimming at the Indian Springs Resort pool, getting penny candy on Honolulu Avenue and taking the bus to downtown Glendale. In July 1952 their sister Joan Kathleen was born; she was adored and doted on by the whole family. In 1956 the family moved to a larger home with a guesthouse for grandma Frances at 610 N. Reese Place in Burbank.
Throughout her life Barbara lived in many other areas including Gaithersburg, Maryland, Pacific Grove, California, Reseda, California and Toronto, Canada. She also traveled to Hong Kong, Athens Greece, Mexico City and Canada.
Barbara passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2022 in La Crescenta surrounded by family, listening to some of her favorite singers – Bob Dylan, Sammy Davis Jr. and Axel Rose.
Barbara is survived by her little dog Franny; daughters Leslie Adams and Liz Avila; son-in-law Marty Avila; grandchildren Alissa Adams, Ashton Avila, Bogart Avila and granddaughter-in-law Cassadie Jerdin; great grandsons Emmett and Wyatt Nelson; brother Jim Burrus; sister Joan Standafer as well many nieces, nephews and friends!