Thelma Burkett
Cuba, Mo. |
Thelma Lorene “Rene” Burkett passed away on Friday, October 26, 2012 at Victorian Manor Memory Care Center in Cuba, MO at the age of 94.
She was born on June 13, 1918 in Matthews, MO, to the late Henry Clifton and Altha Bell (Poole) Hawkins.
On January 22, 1941 she married Donald Sterling Burkett in Jefferson City, MO. He preceded her death on May 22, 1981.
Rene attended Chaffee Public School, entering the first grade in 1925 and continued until the 10th grade in 1934. She worked as a waitress in restaurants and night clubs in the St. Louis area. She was also employed with the Sears Corporation in St. Louis until her retirement. She belonged to the Wood River Senior Citizen Club for over 20 years. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing, traveling, casinos, bingo and dancing. She was a wonderful cook, canning and making all her sweets, pies, cakes and candy which she loved so much.
Not having any children of her own, she loved spending time with her many nieces and nephews and her special friend Shelby, and her daughter, Shauna, whom she thought of as a daughter and granddaughter and their families.
Rene was so special to everyone and we are all so blessed to have had her in our lives. Each of us has our wonderful memories we have made with her to treasure in our hearts forever.
She is survived by a sister, Doris Snider and her husband, Paul of Godfrey; a special nieces, Diane Meine and husband Ed of Okmulgee, OK; her special friend Shelby Dunn and husband, Darryl of Sullivan, MO and their families; four sisters-in-law, Maggie Hawkins of Sebring, FL, Omega Hawkins of Brownwood, MO, Dee Burkett of Collinsville, IL and Shelby Burkett of Columbia, MO and one brother-in-law and his wife, Frank and Betty Burkett of Ashland, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, Shirley, Clifton and Jack Hawkins, three sisters, Louise Warren, Mary Gibbons and Margaret Young and a special friend, Shannon Brewer.
In celebration of her life, a memorial visitation will be from 11:00 am until services at noon on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Chapel in Bethalto with Pastor Troy Crain officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Perpetual Care Fund.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
