EMMA LEE BURKS

On Thursday, Sept. 24, our Lord and Savior called Mother Emma Lee Burks from labor to rest. The Home-Going Celebration for Mother commenced Saturday, Sept. 26, at Refreshing Springs COGIC, 1308 Rogers in Lancaster. Visitation for Mother was held 3-8 p.m. on Friday at Evergreen.

Emma Lee Harris Burks was the fourth child born to Bozzie Henry Harris and Marie Brown Harris, on March 8, 1939, in Tehuacana. She lived in Mexia most of her life. She attended Douglass Elementary and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1957. She was saved under the leadership of Pastor L. Cameron at Chapel Church of God in Christ.

Emma was married to Mr. Kenneth McGill Sr. and they had two sons. She later married Pastor Wesley Burks and worked diligently by his side until he preceded her in death in 2004. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and great-grandmother. She was one who kept families in her home when they were in trouble. She and Pastor Burks cared for them until they could care for themselves. Fourth Ave. and Last Covenant COGIC was where she served as a missionary in her own rights. They also pastored at a church in McKinney. She went to nursing homes to help and encourage those who couldn’t help themselves. Later in life she became a member of Refreshing Springs under the leadership of Pastor Gerald W. Jones. He was a great pastor whom she loved so much.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Wesley Burks; her mother and father; grandmother; sisters – James Ola Busby and Henrietta Ross; brothers- Odell Harris, Willie Harris, nephew and cousins.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Kenneth McGill Jr. and Reginald McGill; daughter-in-law Sharon McGill; sister Evella Smith; sisters-in-law Betty Harris and Claudine Harris; grandchildren Davion McGill, Ryan McGill, Sharone’a McGill, Kendall McGill and Kaalan McGill; great-granddaughter Sharmayn McGill; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and The Refreshing Springs family.