Obituaries

Lois Burks Davis

Lois Burks Davis

Lois Burks Davis (nee Thorn) passed onto her heavenly reward on Saturday, January 2, 2021. Born August 12, 1923 in Ivor, Virginia, Lois lived a long and happy life. She married William R. Burks in 1941 and lived all of their more than 50 years together on the Peninsula, with their children Jerry and Kay. Lois worked many years as an executive secretary with the Hampton Paint Company, Atlantic Mill Works and her son’s company, Burks’ Bookkeeping. She was a lifelong member of Ivy Memorial Baptist Church. Lois married Murphy Davis, her high school sweetheart, in 1998 when they reconnected after both were widowed. They enjoyed almost 16 years together.

Lois enjoyed traveling whether the trip was long or short. She enjoyed many trips across the United States, visited Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and took a train trip to the Grand Canyon. On the journeys, Lois always made a plan to visit with family and friends along the way, enhancing her enjoyment of the trip and making many fond memories. Two of the most important things in her life were her family and her faith, both of which brought her comfort and joy throughout her long life. She had two sisters and two brothers who she was close with. And she enjoyed lifelong relationships with her nieces and nephews. Her church family gave her close friends whom she cherished and stayed close with throughout the years. These close connections with friends and family made her life rich and full of love.

Lois was preceded in death by her two husbands Dick Burks and Murphy Davis; her daughter Kay McCormick and her son Jerry Burks. She is survived by her granddaughters Stephanie Sarris (Jim) of Smithfield, VA and Margaret Frazier (Michael) of Leesburg, VA; her great grandson Zachary Sarris also of Smithfield; her daughter-in-law Terry Burks, and numerous nieces and nephews. In support of Lois’ dedication to community and faith, in lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to charities such as the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula, Heifer International, or a charity of your choice.

A private grave side service will be conducted at Peninsula Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.