On May 3, 1916, a precious little girl was born in a small cabin located in the Chikalah Mountains of Arkansas. It was occupied by her parents, Arthur Leon and Emma Campbell Maddon, and a brother. Her dad was a water well driller and received information that there was an oil well boom in the state of Oklahoma, where drillers of any kind were needed. So when she was six years old, her father moved his family to Pharoah, Oklahoma, where he was employed by Sinclair Oil and Gas Company. She lived in that small community until completing high school, graduating as salutatorian of her class. She and Fred Burke, Jr. were high school sweethearts. They were married September 25, 1937, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. In 1946, they moved to Corpus Christi where Fred found work as an automobile mechanic and where they reared their three children.
Prior to her marriage to Fred, Lillian attended beauty college, obtained her Oklahoma beauty operator’s license and worked after marriage until their first child was born. Although she did not work outside the home again, she never forgot those lessons. Often, throughout the years the family kitchen was the site of home “perms” and haircuts for her children and grandchildren, as well as for many friends and neighbors without charge.
Her family was her life—she was the ultimate homemaker. She was a wonderful cook, sometimes creating her own recipes or improving on those she found in her numerous cookbooks. Many times several of Fred’s friends with Ford Motor Company in Detroit visited Corpus Christi for fishing trips and always included time for a meal at the Burke dinner table. Her vegetable garden was a source of joy for years – tomatoes were a particular favorite. Each year she made her special salsa and carefully doled out the jars to children and grandchildren. It was coveted by all. She continued this practice until she reached age 92. Always, there were flower gardens at their home; cutting of plants were shared with many.
For several years, Fred and Lillian owned a fishing cabin at the old Marker 99 in the Laguna Madre. Along with family members and friends, they enjoyed good nearby neighbors like Bob and Ann Hollinger, Chatter Allen, Dr. Ford Allen, Eddie Friestman and others. Longtime members of the Laguna Shores Boat Club, they had fond memories of many good times with friends at the club. They also treasured their close relationship with their neighbors the Dick Ellis family. The late Sam Nellis, his wife, Alice, and their children have been especially close friends over the years.
They both loved to travel and looked forward to the many Ford Motor Company-sponsored trips to Acapulco, the Bahamas, Hawaii, and especially the trip to Rome, where they attended the funeral of Pope John Paul I.
Lillian and Fred shared a special devotion to each other which few couples are able to attain. The past several years were very difficult due to her deteriorating health, and he became her primary caregiver the remainder of her life. But even in her later years, their feelings of affection were evident to all who knew them.
We cherish her memory and will miss her dearly.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Raymond, Hugh and Norman Maddon; sister, Genelle Smith; and son, Robert Burke.
She is survived by her loving husband of seventy four years, Fred F. Burke, Jr. and children: Loretta Jahn (Ludwig) of Corpus Christi; Richard Burke (Julia) of Portland, Texas; daughter-in-law Liz Burke of Sinton, Texas; Grandchildren: David Ronald Jahn of Garland, Texas; Susan Jahn-Kroll (Bob) of Austin, Texas; John Burke (Crystal) of Halletsville, Texas; and Sam Burke (Whitney) of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren: Chase Jahn and Jared Jahn of Austin, Texas; Caleb Burke of Austin, Texas; and Owen Burke of Halletsville, Texas. She is also survived by brother, Harold Maddon (Betty) of Bull Shoals, Arkansas and sister, Marthelle Kinzie (Raymond) of Perkins, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, W.N. Smith of Mobile, Alabama; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the physicians who have watched over our loved one: Dr. Delia Quisenberry, Dr. David McFarling, Dr. James Dinn, Dr. Jack Sahadi, Dr. Michael Nisbet, Dr. Brett Richards, and Dr. Ronald Munson. Each deserve our undying gratitude for helping to give her length of years. Also, to Elaine Otto, Mimi’s hairdresser, who was there for her each week for nearly thirty years, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. To the staff at Nurses On Wheels, who were all so helpful, we are very grateful for their careful attention to her needs. To Nora S. Molina, Mother’s caregiver for the past several months, there are no words to adequately express how wonderfully gentle, patient and kind she has been. Her devotion to Mother and Dad will always be remembered with gratitude. To the staff at Trinity Towers Odyssey Hospice our special thank you for the professional, caring manner they provided.
The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors, 4901 Everhart Road on Friday, December 30, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2011 also at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors. The interment will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Peewee’s Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary, 3636 South Alameda, Suite B, PMB 175, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 or to a charity of your choice. To offer your condolences visit us at www.cage-mills.com.
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