 ROCKWALL
– A well-known, 23-year Rockwall resident and board member of the
Rockwall County Boys & Girls Club was found dead
in her car July 15 in the Rockwall Plaza parking lot about 100
feet from 24-Hour Fitness and Office Depot.Claire Burks, 55,
was declared dead
at 3:01 pm by Rockwall County Justice of the Peace Jack James,
after Rockwall police had
been notified earlier that day by a passer-by who saw her slumped
over in her car.
According to James, no foul play was suspected and her body was
sent immediately to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office
for an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.
He said although the autopsy is always conducted the same or next
day, the toxicology report will not be available
for at least eight weeks and sometimes up to three to four
months. Her body was returned to her family immediately after the
autopsy.
A memorial service was held in her honor July 19 at the Allure
restaurant in Chandler’s Landing and was attended by over 150 people.
A
former flight attendant
for Southwest Airlines
for over 30 years, Burks had
recently sold
advertising
for the Rockwall Enterprise Success newspaper, owned by
newly-elected Rockwall Co. Treasurer David Peek.
She was a member of the Rowlett Actor Group and was previously a
co-owner of the Courthouse Deli, who became known as the “Soup Lady
of Rockwall.”
She is survived by her son, Joshua (J.C.), 30, who lives in
Austin, and her daughter, Dana Elizabeth, who resides in Rockwall.
Following is an obituary prepared by her close friend, Rockwall
resident Doug Younie:
“Claire Burks was one of those unique individuals that would
light up a room with her cordial “Howdy Y’all” or brighten a stranger’s
day with her trademark
response “Couldn’t be better!” when asked ‘How are you?’.
Claire brought that same affable attitude to her 30 years of
service as a Flight Attendant with Southwest Airlines. She was an
integral part of the early Southwest Airlines culture, and liked nothing
more than making someone’s day a little better.
She was born in Amarillo, and raised in the Dallas area. Claire
recently celebrated her 55th birthday. As a resident of
Rockwall
for over 23 years, Claire was well known. As a co-owner of the
Courthouse Deli, she was the soup-lady
of Rockwall. She was embraced on the stage through the Rowlett Actor
Group and served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Rockwall
County.
Claire has two wonderful children, Joshua (JC), 30 and now living
in Austin, and Dana Elizabeth, 25 currently residing in Rockwall.
Claire passed away unexpectedly on July 15th. A Memorial
Celebration was held on July 19th at the Allure Restaurant at
Chandlers Landing and was attended by over 150 people whose lives were
touched by her in so many ways. She will be greatly missed.”
By J.J. Smith, Publisher
The Rockwall News - August 2, 2011
Submitted by Edward
Lynn Williams |
Carrollton-Farmers
Branch TXGenWeb