Loris B. Thacker

Born April 22, 1933 to William Martin "Mart" Burchfield and Vietta Cooper Burchfield in Claiborne County, TN. She was the 3rd child of four for a poor rural couple. Meager beginnings did not dictate her trajectory in the world because she was gifted with intelligence, tenacity, and self-assurance and guided by loving parents who encouraged her to pursue education and opportunity while maintaining a standard of excellence, integrity, and Godliness. They helped her set goals, attain them and expand those goals at a time in history where that notion was foreign for women. She succeeded with having a very good and fulfilling life that proved to be a paradigm for her children, grandchildren, and those who were impacted by her through family, work, or social interaction. She lived independently into her 10th decade and maintained a vibrant mind.

Loris excelled in her studies through the primary and secondary schools she attended, mostly in the area of Middlesboro, KY. She went on to attend Lincoln Memorial University attaining an Associate’s Degree as a student and was also was an assistant to the dean. Her work was so flawless that she was recruited by the Federal Government to take a position in Washington D.C., but she declined and subsequently married "the best-looking guy" Charles Thacker, a former sailor turned student. She then set her sights on the future that would include work and home.

They relocated to the Chicago area seeking work in the industrial hotspot and felt their own futures and the futures of their children would be enhanced by this move to provide them with a living wage as well as museums, art, and culture in general. These things were not previously available to them. Loris worked as an assistant to a manufacturer soon after their move and when she became pregnant, which at that time in history dictated that she retire to home and prepare for her next role as mother. She continued to work as long as she could at the behest of her boss. He felt he couldn't do it without her and requested she wear clothes that would hide her pregnancy as long as possible so that she could stay. A few years later a move was made to Crystal Lake, a Chicago suburb, and Charles commuted to the city and Loris began her 1st career at Oak Electronic Communications. She started her 26-year career there in the secretarial pool and taught shorthand in the evenings at the newly minted McHenry County College. She excelled at her stated job and worked very well in conjunction with others. She garnered respect for her work and for herself as a person. Promotions began to accumulate and she advanced with the company and eventually transferred to California as Director of Customer Service.

All during her tenure, she raised her 3 children, taught church classes, and involved herself in community actions through her church. She was a Charter Member of the First Baptist Church of Crystal Lake and held many positions within the church over the years. She did the cooking, cleaning, and organizing at home and excelled in all the areas of her life because of a cooperative and encouraging spouse. They truly helped each other be better for the individual and the family. That contribution to success is rarely mentioned, but Loris was very vocal that she did not stand alone in her ambitious track in life. After working at some other jobs testing new avenues of interest such as title work she worked for more than a decade before retiring from Motorola Communications Co. as Supervisor International Logistics. After retirement, she worked at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry as a volunteer up until shortly before her passing.

She is survived by her three children, Edith (Greg), Charles Jr. (Julie), and John Martin (Sherri) as well as her grandchildren Sam Barrett (Julie), Patrick Barrett (Andrea), Emily Ward (Chris), Jessica Martin (Taylor), Lane Weiner (Terika), and Jack Thacker and beloved great grandchildren Emma Barrett, Ryan Barrett, Logan Barrett, Harrison Ward, and Lillian Ward. She is also survived by a brother-in-law Walter Kenneth Thacker and a sister-in-law, Cleo Conway and many much loved nieces and nephews with their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her spouse, parents, parent-in-laws, brothers, sister, and a nephew and his son.

A visitation for Loris will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.