May 8, 2008

Alta Ellen Shanks, the daughter of Delbert Burdan and Leta Victoria (Copas) Burdan, was born June 26, 1917, in Bertha, Mo., and departed this life May 5, 2008, in the Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield, at the age of 90 years 10 months and 9 days. On May 3, 1933, Alta and Everett Lakey were united in marriage in Bertha, Mo., and to this union five children were born. Mr. Lakey preceded Alta in death. In 1951 Alta and Gordon Shanks were united in marriage in Arkansas and to this union a daughter was born. Mr. Shanks also preceded Alta in death. Alta was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Cleo Stacks, Anna McDaniel and Opal Pool, twin brothers, Orvil and Norvil Burdan, and granddaughter, Faira Watterson Spindle. Alta was a lifelong resident of Ava. She was a Christian and was baptized. She loved gardening, canning, and making homemade bread for her family. Alta also loved to sew and make quilts. Her survivors include six children and spouses, James Thomas “J.T.” Lakey and Lori, Davenport, Iowa, Lula and Donald Dyer, Springfield, Mo., Boyd and Pat Lakey, Birch Tree, Mo., Gaytha and Jim Watterson, Ava, Mo., Norma and Lee Cornelison, Charlotte, N.C., and Regina and Jim Evans, Ava, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; several great- and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Services will be 2 p.m. today (Thursday, May 8) in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Mark Hatcher officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gideons International. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.