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Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Emma Elizabeth Young Burks

10/19/1927 - 01/11/2025

Text:

Obituary For Mrs. Emma Elizabeth Young Burks

Mrs. Emma Elizabeth Young Burks, 97, of Lester, WV died Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Born October 19, 1927 in Montytown, WV, she was the daughter of the late Spencer and Mamie Coles Young. She attended Conley-Scott High School.

Emma was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Harper Heights, WV, where she was the Mother of the Church. She was also a member of the West Virginia Baptist State Convention Women’s Auxiliary and Ministers Wives Auxiliary.

Emma was a homemaker, and she loved spending time with her family, especially during the holidays. She had a profound love for her Mr. Goodbars and Chocolate milk, which she drank every day. She would tell some of her grandkids that if you eat a bowl of oatmeal and drink a glass of chocolate milk every day, you will live as long as I have.

Emma was full of laughter, and she loved having a good time. She loved to sing her songs of Zion. She would set the church on fire when she would sing her favorite song, “It’s Another Day’s Journey”. She had another song that she would sing “If You Love The Lord Like I Do”

Emma, in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harless W. Burks, Sr.; sons, Clark Eugene Burks, Harless William Burks, Jr. and Larry Alvin Burks; brothers, Theodore Young, Roosevelt Young, David Young and James Young; sisters, Imogene Patterson and Mary Cook; grandchildren, Brandon Burks Quantez Burks and Sheritha Cook and great-grandson, James Daniel Cook Jr. and several other close friends that she is up in Glory with praising the name of Jesus

Emma is survived by sons, Joe Cook and Kenneth Alderson, both of Beckley, WV, Donald Burks of Lester, WV and Harry Burks of Glen White, WV, Johnny Cook (Brenda) of Silver Springs, MD, Dennis Burks (Donna) of Detroit, MI, and Andre Burks (Rosetta) of Walnut Grove, NC; daughters, Shirley McInnis, Barbara Hamby, Trisha Banks-Copney (Rev. Phillip Copney, Sr.) and Robin Abrams (Leonard), all of Beckley, WV; sisters, Mildred Henry of Indianapolis, IN and Sadie Parker of Harve DeGrace, MD; sister-in-law, Ruth Young of Cape Charles, VA; daughter-in-law, Kim Burks of Beckley, WV; 28 grandchildren 33 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and she leaves a host of nieces, nephews relatives and friends who will cherish the love and memories shared; special friends, Mrs. Emma Moore and Mrs. Daisy Donald.

Emma left this earth with no regrets because she had everything she needed, the love of family and friends. Emma thanks God that he gave her 97years as one of his children.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church 142 Mool Ave. Beckley with Rev. David Leo Moore, Rev. Walter M. Leach, and Dr. Jerry Staples officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

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Condolences

  • 01/25/2025

  • 01/25/2025

    Love and prayers extended to the entire family. Love, pastor Brian"Kiko"and Teresa Wallington.

  • 01/25/2025

    Please accept our deepest condolences and know that God loves you and can restore your spirits, give you peace, and strengthen you. First Baptist Church Of North Beckley

  • 01/25/2025

    May God wrap his arms around you and give you peace and hope. We are praying for you to find peace and healing through our Lords infinite love. The Arline family.

  • 01/25/2025

    Condolence January 25, 2025 We are deeply saddened by the loss of your loved one, Sister Emma Elizabeth Young Burks. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Burks family. May the soul of Sister Emma Elizabeth Young Burks be at peace with our Heavenly Father. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts, through us, they live on. Remember these words spoken by Jesus, "I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall He live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." At this difficult time in your life, we pray that God will grant you the peace that you need to get through this. Rejoice Today in Knowing that your loved one has found peace in the land of God's tomorrow where His blessings never cease. Prayerfully Submitted, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Ballard, West Virginia Rev. Nathaniel Carey, Pastor Sister Justine Nall, Clerk Dickason Chapel Baptist Church Lindside, West Virginia Rev. John Burnett, Pastor Dea. Randall Hopkins, Deacon Thompson Memorial Baptist Church Elgood, West Virginia Rev. John Burnett, Pastor Dea. Richard Gray, Deacon Sister Melissa Burnett, Clerk

  • 01/24/2025

    Prayers for the Burks Family

  • 01/23/2025

    So very sorry to learn of your loved one's passing. I will always remember the times we had at the Winding Gulf Music Conventions. May God comfort the family as only he can. Rest with God Miss Emma. Otealia Crider

  • 01/23/2025

    New River Ministers and Deacons Union to: Rev. & Sis. Phillip and Trish Copney Condolences How sweet it is at evening after a long and well spent day, to close your eyes in slumber and rest from the toils of day. It is doubly sweet at the close of a well spent life to turn one's face toward the sunset and quietly sink into the rest that knows no waking except in the presence of God. Such was the passing of Sis. Emma Burks. After a useful life Sis. Burks passed away to be with her Lord and receive her eternal reward. In appreciation of such a life and for the sake of those she loved, we, the members of New River Minister and Deacons Union feel it befitting to extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends and to thank the heavenly father for her Christian Life. Be it resolved, that we recommend the family to lean upon the everlasting arms of Jesus who can and will heal all sorrows if we will submit to His will, remembering that we can and that we must go someday to meet our loved one on the other shore. With Heartfelt Sympathy, Rev. Nathaniel Carey, President

  • 01/23/2025

    Thank you, Thanks you, Thank you, so much for your heartfelt condolences during this difficult time in the passing of our precious mother. Your support and kind words mean a great deal to me and my family. It's comforting to know that we have friends like you who care and are there for us. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our life without our precious mother..

  • 01/22/2025

    I am so sorry to hear of your moms passing. I pray that GOD comforts your mind and spirit knowing that she knew the LORD. We know that she is resting with the LORD in Heavenly Peace. May GOD continue to give you strength and peace in your time of sorrow. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Love you, DJ & Demonica Williams

  • 01/22/2025

    WVBSC Mass Chorus To: Patricia Copney We, the members of the Mass Chorus extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your Mother Sis. Emma Burks and we want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Losing someone especially your mother is an imaginable pain and the void left by her absence is immense. During your period of grief, it is essential to remember what Jesus said in John 14:18--"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Reach out to your family, friends and loved ones for support and strength. May the love and support of those around you provide you with comfort and strength as you grieve the death of your mother. Please feel free to reach out to us if there is anything we can do to support you during this challenging time. With heartfelt sympathy WVBSC Mass Chorus Jacqueline Burroughs, Correspondent Secretary

  • 01/21/2025

    The First Missionary Baptist Church of Vandalia would like to extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. May God's grace sustain you and may the memories of your mother be a testament to His enduring love. We pray that God will be with each of you in the coming days and grant you strength and peace during this time of loss. Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted". Respectfully Submitted by, The Reverend James H. Mosley, Jr., Senior Pastor Adah Strum, Church Clerk

  • 01/20/2025

    Mrs. Emma Burks was a kind and lovely Christian woman of great dignity. She had such a beautiful spirit. She always looked and dressed as a lady. Sincerely, Sister Mary Robinson, Levi First Missionary Baptist Church

  • 01/20/2025

    Until a few months ago, Cousin Emma and I talked by phone frequently. She was a loving and wonderful soul. I have known her from my childhood, when she and cousin Hollis would stop by our house to visit on Sunday afternoon. She was loving and kind. I will miss her.

  • 01/18/2025

    We do not weep as those who have no hope. Keeping your family lifted up in light, love and prayer.

  • 01/16/2025

    Our Condolences prayers,blessings and love to the family,may God continue to Bless, Morris, and Durgan Family

  • 01/15/2025

    Sending our heartfelt condolences to the family. Boots/Bootsie and Lana

  • 01/15/2025

    Our prayers are with your family at this time. The Bandys.

  • 01/15/2025

    To the Family of Mrs. Emma Burks: "She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teachings of kindness is on her tongue", Proverbs 31:26. Thank you Mrs. Burks for sharing you wisdom and knowledge during Sunday School. I will miss you dearly. Arnita Mitchell Branch and Family.

  • 01/14/2025

  • 01/14/2025

    My prayers and condolences to the entire family Burks family! God is close to the broken hearted.Psalms 34:18

  • 01/14/2025

    To My cousins and the entire family, My sincere condolences to you All. I pray God wraps his arms around you All and comfort you as only he can. I love you Aunt Emma,Rest in Heavenly Peace!❤️

  • 01/13/2025

    To the Burks family. You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. May God continue to keep and bless you. Sincerely Clifford and Eileen Washington

  • 01/13/2025

    My deepest condolences to the Burks family. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • 01/13/2025

    Our sincere condolences in the loss of your family member. Ron and Terrill Peck

  • 01/13/2025

    To the entire Burks family, I offer my condolences to you, on the passing of Mrs. Emma Burks, of whom I got the pleasure of knowing, as Mamma. She was very sweet and dear to me, and showed me so much love. She will be greatly missed.

  • 01/12/2025

    May GOD'S LOVING KINDNESS KEEP YOUR CHILDREN IN HIS HANDS .. YOU WERE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SOUL . I JUST LOVED TO HEAR YOU & YOUR FAMILY SING AS I GREW UP .. MAY YOU TAKE YOUR REST BEAUTIFUL LADY & KEEP WATCHING OVER US 🙏 . I LOVE U MRS. BURKS, 💓 U WILL ALWAYS BE IM MY HEART SWEET LADY OF GOD 😭💔

  • 01/12/2025

    Prayers

  • 01/12/2025

    Sorry for your loss.Praying for your family.

  • 01/12/2025

    To The Entire Burks Family I pray that God comforts and Heals your heart. God Bless you all. The Millner Family~

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