Carol Rita Burks

December 7, 1937 – January 22, 2023

Carol Rita Burks, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2023. She was born in Cincinnati, OH on December 7, 1937, the fifth child of Charles and Leona Deusser. Carol graduated from high school in Indianapolis, Indiana where she met the love of her life William (Billy, Bill, Burks) C. Burks. They married December 26, 1956 and celebrated 66 years together. They moved to Farmers Branch, TX in 1963 and became parishioners at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church where their 5 children also attended school.

Family was most important to her. She loved all varieties of music as well as singing and dancing. Her favorite time of year was Christmas. She always said she was supposed to be born on Christmas, so that is why she was named Carol. She lived up to her name. She loved decorating, baking, and cooking for the Christmas season and always wanted her family around her. She tried her best to support the large crew with all of their extracurricular activities. She went back to work for Sanger Harris once all kids were in school full time. She made sure to only work during the weekdays and was home by 4:00 pm to prepare meals, get kids off to practices, etc. Carol continued to work through all the different transitions of Sanger Harris to Foleys and finally Macy’s where she retired. Carol and Bill moved to Longview, TX in 1995 and lived there for 23 years. They were active members of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Her final years were spent in the DFW metroplex.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” C. Burks, daughter Candice Ford, son William “Bill” C. Burks II & wife Ann, son Michael Burks & wife Elaine, daughter Laura White & husband James, and son Jeffrey Burks & wife Amy. She has 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Grandchildren: Jason Ford, Cameron Ford, Kevin Ford, Ellyse Wissel & husband Scott, William “Will” C. Burks III & wife Kathryn, Christian Burks & wife Heather, Michael Burks, Jacob Burks, Alexandria Burks, Valerie Franklin, Melissa Abrahamsen & husband Patrick, Grant Franklin, Mikayla Burks, and Megan Burks. Great grandchildren: Brett, Kailey & Kristen Ford, and Heidi Burks.

A memorial mass will be held at St Patrick Catholic Church in Dallas on February 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Carol’s honor to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s research