ARETHA BARBARA (JOULE) BURKS

Aretha Barbara (Joule) Burks, 92, of Republic passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. She was born on June 13, 1931, in Akron, Ohio to Ted and Aretha (Farris) Joule. Shortly after she was born the family returned to Springfield.
She graduated from Springfield High School in 1949.
At the age of 16, on a blind date arranged by a friend, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Burks. They were married in 1949, the same week she turned 18 and graduated from high school. They were married for 75 years when he passed away on Jan. 21, 2024.
She is survived by her children, Ed (Trish) Burks of Arlington, Texas, Jim (Cindy) Burks of Republic, and Tom Burks (Kimberly Strong) of Haymarket, Va.; five grandchildren ; six great-grandchildren; one niece and nephew; as well as other extended family and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bob.
A visitation was held on Monday, Feb. 5, at First Christian Church in Republic. Funeral services followed with Pastor Lee Young officiating. She was laid to rest beside her husband at Lindsey Cemetery in Republic.