Obituary of Elizabeth Burchett

Burchett, Elizabeth "Libby" Holmes McCarty Libby was born December 27, 1936 in Abingdon, Virginia. She was raised by her mother, Sallie Holmes, and her father, Dr. William McCarty, in Marion, Virginia. Libby and her younger brother, Bill, grew up in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia. Libby especially enjoyed water and spent many summer days on the beach and in the lake at Hungry Mother State Park. Libby met her husband-to-be, Bob Burchett, in art class her senior year at Marion High School. Their first date followed graduation on June 2, 1955. Libby and Bob married in the seventh year of their friendship in the seventh month on the seventh day at the seventh hour of 1961. This choice of date and time reflected Libby's delightfully quirky mind and Bob loved it. Libby graduated from Mary Washington College with a BA in Art Education and worked on her masters at East Tennessee State University. Pregnancy occurred before thesis completion. Libby gave birth to two beautiful baby girls, Cynthia Gwyn (1964) and Sallie Elizabeth (1969). Another daughter, Rhonda, became much a part of Bob and Libby's family at age 3. Lib taught school for three years before settling into full time motherhood. Once her girls were older, Libby and a friend in Nashville, TN purchased an art frame shop. Libby was always delighted when art looked better going out the door than coming in. Bob's career was with the U.S. Geological Survey. This provided the couple the opportunity to live in and enjoy many beautiful places including Marion, VA; Nashville, TN; San Antonio, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Austin, TX and Denver, CO. In each place Bob and Libby made new and forever friends. Libby loved spending time with family and friends around the country and always delighted in entertaining them in her lovely homes. As well as being a beautiful wife and mother, Libby was an outstanding artist. She was especially accomplished in oil and watercolor. Libby was recognized in many large art shows. Over the past 12 years Libby has enjoyed making stoneware pottery both on the wheel and hand formed pieces. Libby was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bob, her daughters Gwyn, Sallie and Rhonda, and her son-in laws Tony Kosinski and Sean Moran. 'Bibby's' much loved grandchildren include Alexandra Adams, Sierra and Max Moran, Mark Quick, and Kiley, Ty and AJ Kosinski. After a year-long struggle against cancer, Libby passed away at home in Austin the morning of March 21, 2014, surrounded by her family. She will be cremated and her ashes placed in a double urn made by her potter friends. Libby will be waiting for Bob to join her there and in heaven. A Celebration of Libby's life will be held at the Burchett residence Saturday May 10th at 2:00 p.m. Celebrations will also be held in Mt. Juliet, TN for Libby's Nashville friends and Kingsport, TN for her Marion, Virginia family and friends. In lieu of flowers, Libby would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society or to the Blanton Art Museum in Austin, TX. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. This is a courtesy announcement by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory.