Beloved Liberty teacher and her husband killed in Texas floods; 2 young sons missing

LIBERTY, Texas — American flags still fly in a Liberty, Texas neighborhood where the Fourth of July also brought heartbreaking news.

On Monday, neighbors left flowers and stuffed toys in front of the home of John and Julia Burgess. They were victims of the Hill Country floods that left more than 100 dead and dozens missing.

“A lot of sadness,” neighbor Winnie Taylor told KHOU 11.

The couple was inside their RV with two young sons, Jack and James, at a campsite in Ingram when the Gaudalupe River rapidly rose early Friday while most people were sleeping.

According to relatives, John was later found dead. They said Julia’s body was recovered on Monday, but their boys remained missing as of Monday evening.

Their daughter, who was at an unimpacted summer camp nearby, was not injured.

Julia’s cousin, Michael Schwab said they family is still praying that the boys will be found alive. 

“We have been so blessed with all of the love, support, and prayers we’ve received over the past few days, and we cannot thank everyone enough,” Schwab posted on X. ” Please continue to keep our families and all of the families affected throughout Texas in your prayers.”

The family’s neighbors have been praying for good news all weekend.

“The neighbors around here, we’ve all been praying and everything, and it’s just a sad, sad situation,” Taylor said. “I just can’t hardly believe it.”

We learned Julia Burgess was a beloved teacher at Liberty Elementary, not far from the family’s home.

Liberty ISD shared a simple message on social media over the weekend that stated, “Our hearts are with the Burgess family — please continue to pray.”

“I think we’re all still trying to wrap our heads and our hearts around this situation,” Mark Linabury said.

Linabury is President and CEO of the East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, where he said John Burgess attended a luncheon two days before the flood.

Linabury shared a post with a photo of Burgess cutting a ribbon on his financial services business a couple of years ago. 

“You always knew when John was in the room because he just had this smile that could light up any room,” Linabury told us.

Like many, he was praying for a miracle as the days passed.

“You know, you just want a magic wand and we don’t have one,” he said.

People all over the state are sharing thoughts about this family who’ve been in Liberty for about five years, according to neighbors.

As of Monday evening, the death toll was 102, including 27 girls from Camp Mystic in Hunt.

 Searchers are working around the clock in challenging terrain to try and find the dozens still missing.

WATCH: Team coverage from KHOU 11 at 5 p.m.