Mrs. Vera Elaine Burks

In Loving Memory Of Vera Elaine Burks was born on November 20, 1932, in Bangor, Maine to the union of the late W. Edgerton Talbot and Arvella (McIntyre) Talbot. Elaine, which she preferred to be called, was the second of five beloved siblings. She was preceded in death by brother, Gordon Talbot, sister-in-law Frankie Talbot, niece Karlene Carter Young, sons-in-law Dan Albright and Anthony “Tony” Martin Sr., daughter-in-law LaShauna Mustafaa, grandson-in-law Derrick Giles, and daughters Valarie Carleton and Robin E. Burks-Albright. Growing up Elaine attended church EVERY Sunday with her grandmother. She was always very fashionable and shared her new threads with her younger sister Beverly, unbeknownst to her. During high school, Elaine was a star on the basketball team, as she was ironically the tallest player. Elaine graduated from Bangor High School in 1950. Shortly after, she met Webb Garrison Burks at a local social club in Bangor. Webb was enlisted in the Air Force and stationed there, and they quickly began dating, falling in love. They were married on October 12, 1951, and their union would bless them with six beautiful children. Living in Bangor, they gave birth to their oldest daughter Nancy and remained in Maine for almost two years. In 1953, Elaine and Webb migrated back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan to living with her beloved mother-in-law, late Marie “Re-Re” Webb. The remaining five children were born in Detroit. Elaine became an active member in the community, joining the PTA and volunteering at her children’s school. In 1964, Webb and Elaine purchased their first home together on Mark Twain. It is in this home, they would raise their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. Once her fourth child, Valarie, began school, Elaine started working at Montgomery Wards, originally as a part time temporary job for Christmas. She was a loyal employee, almost to a fault, going to work once in a blizzard. It was jokingly said, she was always the last employee to leave, having to “put the dogs out” and lock up the fence. She would go on to retire from Montgomery Wards in 1986, to take care of her beloved husband after he suffered a stroke. Webb preceded her in death in 1991, after nearly 40 years of marriage. Elaine became affectionately known as “Goosey”/Grandma by her grandchildren and soon, most people came to know her as such. She joined Detroit Church of Christ in 1999 and was an active member for nearly 20 years. There she was known as one of the church grandmothers, always offering a warm hug and a beautiful smile. An early riser, V98.7 smooth jazz playing and a fresh pot of hot coffee was always brewing. Before Starbucks, there was “Goosey’s”. Reading the newspaper almost daily, she’d keep up with the sports stats to discuss with grandson Christopher. Her hobbies included doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire at the kitchen table, later learning to play on her cellphone, her standing Saturday shopping and lunch dates with her family, and some good quality TV shopping on “her QVC”. She also enjoyed her morning walking time with daughters Robin and Nancy at Fairlane Mall, the three of them lovingly calling themselves “The Golden Girls”. She was an avid and proud visitor of her hometown Bangor, Maine and loved texting her sister Beverly back home every morning, keeping her abreast of the family happenings. In recent times, you could find her watching “her shows” Law & Order, The View (She loved her some Whoopie Goldberg), the Price is Right and reruns of Murder she Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. Elaine transitioned peacefully on November 9th, 2024. She is remembered fondly by all that knew her and in turn loved her. She leaves to cherish and honor her memory: her cherished children Nancy Martin, Cheryl Harper, Michelle Burks, Moses Mustafaa, sisters Beverly Talbot Scott, Beth Talbot; brothers Gerald (Anita) Talbot, Robert (“Butch”) Talbot; ten adored grandchildren: Stephanie (Harold) Hicks; Raymond (Sierra) Harper, Jr.; Tujuana (Scott) Giles-Brandt; Anthony (Adrianne) Martin, Jr.; Kristen (Jacques) Price; Christopher Burks; Jamil (“DJ”) Mustafaa; Anthony (“Spud”) Williams; Quen Mustafaa; Page Burks, twelve precious great grandchildren: Darrius (Leslie) Hicks; Justin Hicks ; Mya Hicks; Breauna Marion; Malik Giles; Parris Frazier; Candace Terry; Jayden Giles; Ameena Harper, Khalil Harper, Dallas Price; Elaine Price, nieces, nephew, and a beautiful village of other family and friends.

Mrs. Vera Elaine Burks

November 20, 1932 - November 9, 2024