Neighbors

Mary Anderson Burks was a woman known for many things, such as being a horticulturist and a businesswoman who was very active in the community, but those who knew her best speak of her devotion to her late husband, Joseph E. Burks.

The Burkses had been married for 66 years when he died last January, having married on Palm Sunday in 1944.

And it was on this past Palm Sunday, at 2:15 p.m., the same time of day they had said their wedding vows in 1944, that Mary Burks passed away, to be reunited with her beloved husband on their anniversary.

From the business arena to the church community and just about every place in between, Martha Donovan touched the lives and hearts of so many in Shelby County before passing away Saturday at the age of 88.

“Most people knew her from the drugstore, and she was such a kind, giving person,” said her nephew, Jerry Donovan.

Martha Elizabeth Donovan, born Feb. 27, 1923 in Shelby County to Jerry Wise and Mary Jetta Pulliam,  was a former co-owner of Smith-McKenney Drug Co., along with Bill Borders and  William “Shug” Hickman.

On Monday, many in the community will gather to say goodbye to a man much loved in Shelby County for more than a century.

Edward Burton Cook, 102, died Thursday, leaving behind a loving family and his extended church family at Burks Branch Baptist.

“He was our oldest member, and up until just a few years ago, you would never imagine he was that old,” said his minister, Billy Betts, who will preach Cook’s eulogy at Shannon Funeral Home.

The Sentinel-News for three years now has at year’s end honored five Shelby Countians we think made significant impact on the community during the year. Each person named to what we now call Shelby County’s Fabulous 5 has in his or her own way left an indelible legacy that will define our community going forward and inspire those who follow. Their impacts cross the spectrum of society and, we believe, represent some of our most significant and important accomplishments.

Matt Bullock/Highway Engineer