Nellie Lou Burks

Funeral services for Nellie Lou Burks, 95, of Willis, formerly of Lufkin, will be held Monday, September 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Charles M. Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Burks discovered America on May 5, 1928 in Shady Grove, Texas, the youngest child of Rachel Elizabeth (Hallmark) and George Reason Woolley. She entered into Heaven Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Nellie attended school in Shady Grove and Crockett, Texas. Soon after graduating high school, she met a blue-eyed handsome man who became the love of her life for 72 years. Nellie and Lester Burks were married on a bitterly cold, icy day in December 1946. The newlyweds lived in Huntsville, Texas where they both worked at the funeral home while Lester completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Sam Houston Teachers College. They moved often in order to accept better teaching positions, finally settling in Texas City, Texas. To the delight of their family, friends, and strangers, Nellie enjoyed cooking. “Are you hungry” was her first question after “hello”. If someone ever left their house hungry it wasn’t her fault.

Once their two children were older Nellie became the person the school district called when they needed a substitute teacher for an extended time. Both Nellie and Lester were active in their church and in community activities.

In retirement Nellie and Lester enjoyed traveling in their RV serving with their Volunteer Christian Builders friends building churches throughout the United States.

They resided in Willis, Texas since 2014 having previously lived in Lufkin, Texas for 22 years. She was currently a member of First Baptist Church Conroe and a former member of Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Janine and Jon Crenshaw of Willis; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Cheryl Burks of Artesia, New Mexico; grandchildren and spouses, Jeff and Dana Crenshaw of Conroe, Joel and Kari Crenshaw of Spring, Brandon and Amy Burks of New Llano, Louisiana, Bradley Burks of Roswell, New Mexico, KayAnne and Jonathan Gray of Artesia, New Mexico; 20 great-grandchildren; sister-in law and husband, Richie and Bob Hanes of Snellville, Georgia; brother-in-law and wife, Larry and Libby Burks of Plano; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Mrs. Burks was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; her parents; her brothers, Monroe, Woodrow, Homer, GR, Willard, Waymon, Grady, Jesse, and Claude Woolley; and sisters, Margie Woolley and Mary Woolley Womack.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the tender care Mrs. Burks received while in Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands and from the Devotion Hospice during her home stay.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Crenshaw, Joel Crenshaw, Brandon Burks, Bradley Burks, Maddox Crenshaw, Ethan Crenshaw, Holland Crenshaw, and Steffan Lowery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Volunteer Christian Builders at www.vcbuilders.org (please select “Donate” and reference “Nellie Burks”), or to The Gideons International, Lufkin Camp West, PO Box 1831, Lufkin, Texas 75902.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.