LaVonne Hicks Burk, 85, was a member of the Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church and a long-time resident of Madisonville, Texas. She was born to William Perrington “Perry” Hicks and Thelma Mae (Wilson) Hicks on August 30, 1935, in Bryan, Texas, as Pansy Lavon. She was at Life Care Hospice, in Wooster, Ohio, when her heavenly Father called her home on November 27, 2020.

After graduating from Madisonville High School, LaVonne enrolled at the University of Houston and pledged with the Delta Zeta Sorority. She excelled in academia and performing with the Frontier Fiesta thespians; was the lead in “Oklahoma!”; and was proud to have known and performed with the late Kenny Rogers. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education.

While at the U of H, a strapping 6’4” Cougar defensive end sat down in front of this petite 5’4” brunette on their first day of freshman English. On May 30, 1959, she married that football player, the love of her life, Walter “Wade” Burk, of Austin, Texas. They resided in Houston having two daughters, Lisa Gayle and Lani’ Denise. In 1966, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she taught at Fort Carson. The family regularly traveled exploring the western part of the country, camping, hiking, and fishing. She particularly looked forward to her duck hunting dates with Wade.

The family returned to Texas in 1975 and settled in Madisonville where LaVonne taught at the Madisonville Middle School until retirement. “Mrs. Burk” was always interested in improving on the next production of the school play, directing, and building sets. She was a very devoted educator who enjoyed her many years teaching, challenging, inspiring the love of arts, and most of all, learning.

LaVonne had many talents. She relished entertaining whether it was playing the piano and singing or showing off her culinary skills. She was creative on multiple levels such as drawing portraits, painting, decorating, and writing. She enjoyed research and took pride in knowing and sharing more about her early family heritage right in Madison County.

After retirement, LaVonne assisted her husband in his insurance adjustment business as they traveled the U.S. After Wade’s premature death in 2017, she lived with their daughter, Lisa, and family in Anchorage, Alaska. They most recently moved to Ohio where she, ultimately, succumbed to Alzheimer’s.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents; husband of fifty-eight (58) years, Wade; daughter and son-in-law, Lani’ and Sean Robert Carlson.

She is survived by daughter, Lisa Burk Crawford (Craig) of Loudonville, Ohio; and grandchildren, Dr. Jackson Wade Crawford (Katherine), of Boulder, Colorado; Claire Delaney Crawford, of League City, Texas; Travis Burk Crawford, of Flagstaff, Arizona; and Regan Katharine Carlson, of Loudonville, Ohio. In addition, survivors include sister-in-law, Kay Burk Wright (James), of Johnson City, Texas; brother-in-law, Larry Lee Burk (Helen) of Georgetown, Texas; cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 1 p.m., at the Madisonville Funeral Home, 1151 East Main Street, Madisonville, Texas 77864. The interment will be at Madisonville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers we ask that any remembrances be made, in LaVonne’s honor, to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011; Life Care Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691, or to a charity of choice.