Sarah Avis Burkes

Sarah Avis Sims Burkes - Mother, Granny, and Aunt passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Alex with family by her side at the age of 80. She was born to Howell and Lois Sims in Lindsay, Oklahoma in 1939.

Sarah married the love of her life Bob Burkes in 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Lindsay. They moved around early on in their marriage but ultimately established their home near Lindsay in 1966.

Sarah was passionate about education, and her favorite part of being an educator was teaching children to read. She achieved her Master’s degree in Special Education and was a teacher and administrator for over 40 years serving Elmore City, Dibble, ending her career in Lindsay where she was well known and admired. In her retirement, Sarah loved traveling, spending time with her family, and playing cards with her friends.

Sarah was strong, fiercely independent, and sassy. She was full of life, laughter, and warmth. We will miss her every day but we are ecstatic knowing that she is reuniting with Bob and her parents in heaven. She was a long standing member of the First Baptist Church of Lindsay.

She was wonderfully devoted to her family including her two children, Robert and Debbie Burkes of Lindsay and Sharlotte and Mark Gilles of Alex, Ok.
A loving Grandmother to Randy and Norma Whalen, Kelly and Jason Brown, and Terri and Rusty Abstein. The best great “granny” ever to Emily, “Little” Randy, and Austin Whalen, Kell & Olivia, Kaleb, and Kotton Brown and fInally her littlest grands Lucy and Ellie Abstein. She was a loving Aunt to Jacquita and Richard Sites and their children Renee and her son Brandon, Robin and Jason Sledd and their children Jase, Sean and Dawn and Richie and his son Trace.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Bob Burkes, mother Lois, father Howell, and brother Jimmy.

Masks and social distancing will be in place at the church and cemetery.

Special thanks to everyone who loved her, visited her, and helped care and support her these past few months. Please join us in remembering her and celebrating her life at 2:00 pm, Monday, December 14, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, Lindsay with Bro. Randy Allen and Bro. Gene Sanders officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery, Lindsay, OK under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, Oklahoma.