Mary Burks

Mary Le’Ora Burks, age 81, known to friends by her middle name, died peacefully on Monday, March 6 at Ridgmar Place in Fort Worth, Texas.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 10, 2023 at Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Fort Worth, Texas

Le’Ora was born a few miles away at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital on May 24, 1941, the oldest child of Rev. Cecil and Celia Archer. She grew up around Texas and attended high school in Yuma, Arizona, where she met and in 1957 married her late husband of nearly 34 years, Ernest Melvin Burks. They raised their family in San Diego.

Le’Ora, fondly remembered for her joy and infectious laughter, was a talented pianist, organist, singer, actress, and cook who helped lead worship at First Southern Baptist Church of Yuma and Ramona Southern Baptist Church. She acted in church plays and Ramona community theater. She worked as an administrative assistant for Famous Ramona Water, the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix, and Home Health Agency in Fort Worth.

Mama, as grandchildren called her, is survived by two younger sisters, Joy Minefee and RuthAnn Bryant; two children, Lorrie Normand and Lonnie Burks; five grandchildren, Brittany Christian, Lance Normand, Nathan Normand, Tosten Burks, and Alysha Owens; and seven great-grandchildren Lilly Bozarth, Brody Bozarth, Tyler Normand, Ames Normand, Henry Christian, Claire Christian, and Max Normand.