CABOT — Elsie Marie Anderson Burks,
96, of Cabot, passed away peacefully at her home on March 24, 2020, of natural causes.
Born March 10, 1924, in Cabot, Ark., she was the younger of two girls born unto the late Herbert and Mattie Anderson.
Elsie attended Cabot in the same building, Old Main, for grades 1-12. She was an exceptional basketball player and track star for Cabot. She was so good in basketball that she was asked to be on a traveling team, but she turned them down because “I was in love” and “I wasn’t leavin’.”
Elsie was 13 when she started dating her husband to be, Bernard Burks, whom she said “had the prettiest legs.” They dated and were married when he returned from WWII. They remained in love and were inseparable. She was a dedicated home maker and a loving wife. Among her many talents, she was an exceptional cook, a seamstress, and a quilter. She loved bingo, her weekly card games, and the slots. She was a strong Christian woman who loved gospel music. She had attended the First United Methodist Church in Cabot.
Elsie was a dedicated mother; she loved her boys. She was also very vocal and visible in their lives and in all of their athletic endeavors. She loved her grandkids with great passion. She made it a point to go to their activities, sport events, and was always there to give advice and wisdom. She had fun with them! She adored her daughter-in-law and supported her in any way she could.
Elsie’s personality was bigger than life – she was always filled with joy and laughter. She was often the entertainment for the family — she loved to make them laugh and always responded with humor regardless of the situation. She was just fun to be around! If you were feeling down, she always brought you back to reality.
She lived her own way and refused to be anybody but herself; she was spunky, spirited, and strong-minded. She was often stubborn, for once she made up her mind, she wasn’t going to change it — like driving in the fast lane on the freeway — refusing to move over regardless how many cars were behind her. But she was also kind and incredibly giving.
Elsie was an extraordinary woman. She grew up during the Great Depression, and because of it, she did not waste, but kept everything. She still had the same encyclopedias in the living room that she bought back in the early sixties — along with the 50 year old dictionary torn in two pieces — she used them both for her crossword puzzles.
She was frugal when she didn’t have to be, but she appreciated life because of its uncertainty. She had witnessed so many changes in this world — technological advances, wars, diseases, economic changes, and social changes, but one thing she held on to was the love of her family and how to treat people.
She was a beautiful soul and would happily impart timeless advice and wisdom. She was a creature of habit; routine was everything. She got her hair done every Friday at 1; therefore, she made sure that she mowed the yard on Thursdays.
Elsie lived a remarkable life. When gasoline was rationed in the war, she worked for her father driving buses, taking people to work. In 1964 the Cabot Chamber of Commerce voted her “Woman of the Year” because of her community service. In 2017, Elsie was honored at Cabot High School for her phenomenal basketball career that surpassed all others.
Elsie was very active all the way up to these past few years; she stopped driving when she was 92. If anyone was in need, she made sure the need was met; she was always giving quietly, giving to the schools and to the community.
Elsie did all she wanted to do — she kept going, for her age was just a number, and she lived for each day. Elsie would challenge you to be content with what you have, live happily with beautiful memories, push through difficult times with joy and perseverance, and most importantly, treat others as you would want to be treated — with love and humility.
And there — on Saw Mill Hill — a piece of tapestry from this town, woven from the threads of hard work, ingenuity, loyalty, and love — vibrant and colorful — went on to see her loving maker — and she would ask that you remain steadfast and unshakable in these uncertain times — have faith in God’s Word — do not be troubled, have courage, for He has overcome the world!
Elsie loved to fish, and we have no doubt that she has been reunited with her sweet Bernard, fishing off the banks of a beautiful river — that runs so deep with love, that she is content to fish all the day until she is reunited with her loved ones.
Survivors include her son, Steve Burks (Pam), granddaughter Melissa (Jack) McNair of Conway, grandsons Matthew Burks of Cabot and Drew Burks of Brunswick, Ga. Four great-grandchildren: Jackson and Maxwell McNair and Jacob and Evan Burks.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Burks; sister, Margret Ringgold; and son, Reagan Burks.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there will only be a private family graveside service. Knowing that Ms. Elsie was loved by so many that would want to share their thoughts and memories of her, the family will have a public memorial service for her at a later date. The family suggests donations in memory of Elsie Marie Burks be made to the Cabot Lady Panther Basketball Program, Cabot Public Schools, 602 North Lincoln, Cabot, Ark., 72023. Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home, 501-8435816. Please sign our online guestbook for the Burks family at www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.