Obituary of Dorothy Elizabeth Burks

DOROTHY ELIZABETH BURKS

SUNRISE – April 25, 1929

SUNSET – December 15, 2023

Dorothy was the only surviving daughter born to Ikey Boon and Alice Dancy on April 25, 1929 in the Okmulgee Colored Hospital, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.    She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very early age. She attended Duffey Chapel Baptist Church, Bristow, Oklahoma in her younger years and later served faithfully at Calvary Baptist Church, Sapulpa, OK for over 20 years.

Dorothy graduated from L’Ouverture High School in Slick, OK in 1947.  After graduation she began work  as a salad maker at the Louisiane Seafood Restaurant in Tulsa, OK.  In 1949 she wed Charlie Burks, to whom she was married for 28 years.   She served as a domestic worker for a number of prominent families in Eastern Oklahoma.  Dorothy retired as a seamstress employed by Miss Elaine

Sel-Mor Garment Company in 1991, after nearly 27 years of service.  During this time, Dorothy reconnected with a former schoolmate, Thaddeus Stephens.  They shared their lives and love for nearly 41 years.  He preceded her in death in January 2018.

She had strong opinions in many areas of life.  Whether it was political or social, she did not hesitate to share her views.  After retirement, she served in various volunteer and support positions for the Bristow Creek Nation Community Center and cherished the relationships she built in serving the community. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Magdalene Chapter No.70.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, William, Ernest, Frank and Jesse.

Dorothy leaves to propagate her legacy her two children, Frances Reed (Michael) and Joseph Burks (Pamela, her 7 grandchildren (Chandra, Joel, Keith, Micah, Andre, Leah and Steffanie,) 16 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm at Green Hill Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for Friday, December 22, 2023 at 10:00am at Calvary Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Green Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery.