One year ago, we lost the most wonderful wife, mother, aunt, sister and friend, Adah Marie Johnson Burks. Adah was called home to her Heavenly Father on July 31, 2021 in Southlake, Texas. It has been a very difficult year without her, to say the least, but it is with love, joy, and admiration that we share her story.

Adah was born on February 2nd, 1935 to Columbus Dewey (C.D.) Johnson and Mabel Sarah Banks Johnson in Crowder, Oklahoma. Her family moved to McAlester when she was a young girl, where she grew up alongside her six siblings. She often shared vivid memories of those times; though Adah was not the oldest sibling, she loved having two younger sisters, Judy and Dorothy, and took her "big sister responsibilities" very seriously.

After graduating from McAlester High School in 1953, Adah attended Draughon Business School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She then returned to McAlester and went to work at KNED Radio Station.

Adah loved working at the radio station, where she harnessed her gift for creative writing to create advertising and commercials, while also assisting with general operations.

Adah continued to strengthen her business and administrative skills when she accepted a position at the Lone Star Steel Company, Carbon Coal Mines in Carbon, Oklahoma. It was while she worked at the coal mine that she met her future husband, Wesley Theodore (Ted) Burks. They married at the First Methodist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas on April 5, 1958. Adah and Ted were partners in everything they did and worked together to build a beautiful life for their family.

Adah's three daughters were the center of her world. Despite spending much of her time working with Ted at their business, McAlester Radio & TV Supply, she was a devoted mother and remained actively involved in her children's lives, regularly volunteering her time as PTA Officer, Girl Scout Leader, and Homeroom Mom. She was also a member of the McAlester Writer's Guild and often wrote articles for the local newspapers. She was a giver in every sense of the word, always giving so much more than she asked for in return. If you knew her, you knew that.

When her girls were older, Adah served as the secretary/administrative assistant at the First Presbyterian Church of McAlester. Adah was an invaluable and much loved member of the church staff. She retired after over 30 years in 2008. Adah and Ted then relocated to Southlake, Texas to be closer to their daughter, Beverly, and grandchildren.

Adah will be remembered for so many wonderful things. She was a talented artist, voracious reader, and beautiful writer. Her quick wit and bright sense of humor brought so much joy to those around her. Even during difficult times, Adah always found a way to make you laugh. She was kind, she was gentle, and she relentlessly persisted in the face of struggle. She was a person of deep faith, and we are comforted to know that her loving spirit will live on through her children and grandchildren, the light and joy of her life.

Adah is lovingly remembered by her husband and best friend of 63 years, Wesley T. Burks; children Beverly Bryant (Mike) and Abby Wood (Brian); grandchildren Alexa Bryant, Elizabeth Bryant, Wyatt Wood and Whitney Wood; sisters Dorothy Rose and Virginia "Judy" Peters, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Adah was preceded in death by her parents, Columbus Dewey (C.D.) and Mabel Johnson; brother, Dr. Walter Johnson; sisters, Amy Murray, Margaret Maxey, Norma Huey; her beloved youngest daughter, Helen Burks Cooper.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you wish to honor Adah, please consider gifting a donation to the First Presbyterian Church of McAlester: Helen Burks Cooper Memorial Garden Fund.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/adah-burks/obituary/

Copy