Mrs. Hilda Burks

Mrs. Hilda Burks, age 96, passed away Tuesday March 20, 2018, at Diversicare of Boaz. Visitation will be Thursday March 22, 2018, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday March 23, 2018, at First Baptist Church of Albertville at 1:00pm, and she will lie-in-state beforehand, from noon until 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery, with Bro. Chris Johnson and Bro. Mike Johnson officiating. Survivors include sons David of Tucson AZ, John of Birmingham, AL, and daughter Mary (Bruce Rogers) of Louisville, KY, and five grandchildren, Christopher (Elizabeth), Perry, and Trevor Burks and Josh and Jordan Price. Preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Alice Smith, beloved husband, Rev. Gilbert Burks, and sisters Nell Kathleen Merchant and Sarah Louis Smith. Hilda Mae Smith Burks was born in Clanton, AL, September 18, 1921, third daughter of Hubert and Alice Bean Smith. Her childhood years were spent on the family farm, and she graduated from Chilton County High School. She obtained a teaching degree in Home Economics from Alabama College for Women, now the University of Montevallo. Following graduation in 1943, she spent a season in Washington DC managing a war time cafeteria for soldiers. She returned to Alabama to teach high school math at Jemison. Her church’s pastor and wife introduced her to their son who was returning from service in the Army Air Force. Several months later she married newly ordained Gilbert Burks on December 23, 1945. Moving to Fort Worth, Texas, they enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Believing that they were both called of God into ministry and should be fully equipped, she received a Master of Religious Education and he received a Master of Divinity. Following seminary they returned to Alabama where Bro. Burks pastored in Chocolocco, and Crossville. In October 1955, now with three children, the family moved to Albertville where he served as Director of Missions of Marshall Baptist Association until retirement in December, 1982. During this time, Hilda was his partner in every way. She provided administrative support and lent her keen organizational abilities throughout this ministry. She served as teacher, leader and missions coordinator at First Baptist Church Albertville, as well as throughout the 82 Marshall Baptist Association churches. Committed to missions, she was active in WMU leadership throughout the Alabama Baptist Convention. At the start of their work in the association, they provided their own typewriter and mimeograph machine, with office work done in their home. As funds became available office equipment was obtained, and the Association purchased a residence and erected an adjoining office building. They planned, promoted, and conducted many training sessions and various other meetings each year. Mrs. Burks was his committed partner in ministry, a constant source of inspiration, encouragement, and assistance. After retirement, Bro. and Mrs. Burks continued to be active in volunteer mission work and interim pastorates. Mrs. Burks was known for her faithfulness to God, love of family and friends, deep prayer and devotional life, mission service, kindness to others, love of nature, flowers and gardening, excellent cooking and the best deviled eggs for potlucks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lottie Moon Missions Offering through First Baptist Church Albertville.

Mrs. Hilda Burks

September 18, 1921 - March 20, 2018