Lauretta Ann Aiken, 85, passed away peacefully at Tribute at The Glen Retirement Community in Woodbridge, VA on March 17, 2024 after a 5 year battle with Vascular Dementia. She was the daughter of the late Wilma Ann Funk Burke and her adoptive father, the late Carroll Nicholas Burke of Savannah, GA.

Lauretta was born on January 22nd, 1939 in Omaha, NE and at the age of 3 months,

moved to Savannah, GA with her mother, where she grew up, as

was customary in those days, playing in the streets of downtown

Savannah, Colonial Park Cemetery and the local playground, with her

many cousins, sister, brothers, and friends. Lauretta had three siblings, Nikki Burke Robinson(1944), Michael Burke(1953) and Stephen Burke(1956).

Lauretta graduated from Savannah High School in 1957 and was chosen Miss Savannah High by her fellow classmates. She was also selected as the first Miss Coast Guard of Savannah and reigned for one year.

Lauretta was married to her first husband, Robert Leon Levison Jr. from 1959 to 1979, During her marriage, Lauretta enjoyed supporting Robert’s military career and being a loving mother to her sons: Robert Leon Levison III (1959) and Carroll Sigmund Levison (1961). They were assigned to approximately 10 different duty stations during Robert’s 21 years of service in the United States Air Force.

Lauretta was a dedicated mother and wife who effortlessly balanced work and home life. In her free time, she dabbled in ceramics, cake decorating, sewing, painting, and gardening. She would also perform as a hula dancer during special events. In 1976, Lauretta became interested in clowning. While stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines in 1978, she was featured in a Pacific Stars and Stripes Article for the love and skills of the trade and for teaching the art of clowning to nearly 120 people which about 75 had gone on to use the art to make money afterwards.

Lauretta had two additional marriages. She married Alfred Joseph “AJ” Letourneau, who served in the US Air Force, Korea in Athens, GA. They connected through their love of the art of clowning. In 1983, they opened their own mail-order clown shop business, AJ’s Magic Inc, where they sold many clowning items including clown socks, clown shoes, and magic flowers. They were even awarded a patent for their clown shoe covering in 1989. In 1991, they decided to move themselves and the business to Navarre, FL. Unfortunately AJ passed away at the beginning of 1997 after suffering an aneurysm the year before.

William Paul “Skip” Aiken became her third husband in 2003. Skip served in the US Navy as a pilot during the Vietnam War. During their marriage, they enjoyed having many adventures traveling to different locations such as Israel and an Alaskan Cruise. They enjoyed traveling the roads in their RV; traveling from the Midwest and then settling in Westminster, SC where they owned a lakefront property with their two Yorkies, Heather and Bebe. They were married for 10 years until Skip passed away in 2015 from Colon Cancer.

While Lauretta came into this world from humble beginnings, she can most accurately be described as a vivacious, fierce force to be reckoned with. In addition to her years supporting her military husbands and raising her two children, she was also a loving and devoted grandmother who helped raise her so grandchildren when they needed her the most. While she spoiled them as grandmothers do, she also helped raise the both of them along with her son Carroll. The biggest lesson she taught them was the lesson of hard work. Both of them helped with the family business starting with taping boxes then bagging socks, and even fulfilling whole orders.

Lauretta was a true entrepreneur at heart. While operating and managing AJ’s Magic, she earned her Real Estate license and started a yard sign company. In addition to her businesses, Lauretta also volunteered with many organizations while living in Navarre, FL. including serving as: Holley Navarre Fire Commissioner (2002-2012), Santa Rosa County Republican Women’s Network, Community Emergence Response Team (C.E.R.T.), Santa Rosa County Fair Tax Community Coordinator, Board of Director Panhandle Florida Veterans Home, and the American Flag Project.

Lauretta was predeceased by her mother Wilma Ann Funk Burke, her

adoptive father Carroll Nicholas Burke, Grandmother and namesake,

Lauretta Ann Paulsen Bartley, son Carroll Sigmund Levison, sister Carroll

Nikki Burke Robinson, brother-in-law Herbert Earl Robinson, husband

Robert Leon Levison, Jr., husband Alfred J. Letourneau, husband William

Paul “Skip” Aiken.

She is survived by her Son Robert (Ann) Levison III of Navarre, FL, Brothers Michael (Rita) Burke of Kennesaw, GA, and Stephen (Kim) Burke of Cochran, GA, Grandchildren Lauretta Ann Levison (Johan) Pineda of Woodbridge, VA, James Nicholas (Natalie) Levison of Navarre, FL, and Amy Lynn Dubensky of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Great Grandchild, Isaiah Bradley Levison of Navarre, FL, and many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

There will be a memorial service and Lauretta will be interred next to her third and beloved husband Skip for all eternity at the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC on April 19th at 1:00 PM.

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