Jessie L. Clayton Burks

Jessie Clayton Burks, 82, former resident of Bloomington joined her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 17th at Bridgewater Retirement Community in Bridgewater, VA after a long illness. Jessie was born on August 1, 1927 to Charlie and Nola Harrington Clayton in Greene County, IN. She and her family lived in Bloomington for many years. She married Frank Burks on September 21, 1945 and lived in Bloomington and Ellettsville until 1956, when the family moved to Indianapolis, IN. She lived for a number of years in Indianapolis, where she was a homemaker and worked as a secretary for Indiana State Hospital. Jessie and her family moved to Virginia in 1968, where she lived until retirement. After 20 years of federal service as a budget analyst with the United States Department of Agriculture, she retired and returned to her Indiana residence in Bloomington where many of her friends and family remained. She moved her Christian membership to Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington. While a member there, she became a Stephens Minister and ministered to those in need. She was frequently called upon by family and friends to care for the critically ill, to whom she gave of her time selflessly. Jessie traveled to the Holy Land, which was one of the major highlights of her many travels and of her Christian journey. She participated in many spiritual retreats, including a Walk to Emmaus which further strengthened her deep Christian faith. Survivors include her four children and their spouses; Frank and Barbara Burks of Harrisonburg, VA, Teresa and Timothy Kelley of Star Tannery, VA, Sandra and Mark Cowan of Springfield, VA and James Frederick and Debbie Burks of Manassas, VA. She has 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Floyd Clayton of Bloomington, IN and Richard Clayton of Waynesville, MO and one sister, Edith Peer of Bloomington, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nola Harrington Clayton and Charlie Clayton and four siblings; Allan Clayton, Ralph Clayton, Alice Clayton Tincher and Phillip Clayton. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29th at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Rd., Bloomington, IN with clergy from the church officiating. Burial will be at Chambersville Cemetery in Owen County. Friends may call at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37 in Bloomington on Monday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday one hour preceding the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Bridgewater Retirement community, Residential Continuing Care Fund, which provides care for those residents who have depleted their personal funds. Contributions may be sent to Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37, Bloomington, IN 47401. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Jessie L. Clayton Burks

August 1, 1927 - December 17, 2009