Cynthia Louise Burks

Cynthia Burks Obituary The family of Cynthia Burks request in lieu of flowers that charitable donations be made to the Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church 15309 Harvard Ave Cleveland Ohio, 44128 in care of the women's committee. -Thank you CYNTHIA LOUISE McCOY BURKS March 27, 1927 – December 25, 2022 Saturday, January 7, 2023 Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church 15309 Harvard Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44128 Pastor Leonard Killings, D. Min., BCC, Officiant & Eulogist Mr. Lavert Stuart, Organist Cynthia Louise McCoy was born on March 27, 1927, in Cleveland, Ohio, the city where she grew up, was educated, met her husband, married and raised her two children. At an early age Cynthia developed her love for the arts. Cynthia volunteered as a hostess at the renaming of the Playhouse Settlement to the “Karamu House”. This was the beginning of a lifetime of volunteer service. She maintained her relationship with Karamu throughout the years fundraising for various Karamu events and serving as the Secretary of the Karamu Women’s Committee. After graduating from John Hay High School in 1945, Cynthia accepted her first professional position as a Secretary for the Cleveland Rehabilitation Center. Cynthia married Walter A. Burks, Jr. in 1950 and together, they became community activists, participating in political campaigns at the city, state and national levels. Cynthia and Walter established Burks Electric Corporation, The Club Center of Cleveland, The Coachlight Party Center and Burks Development Corporation, which became one of the leading minority business enterprises in the City of Cleveland dedicated to urban revitalization. Cynthia and Walter were married for 48 years. For thirty years, Cynthia managed the Volunteer program for more than 3,000 volunteers serving the Cleveland Public Schools. She also served as President of the Ohio School Volunteer Association and Vice President of the National School Volunteer Association. Throughout the years Cynthia volunteered with, the Cub Scouts, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Urban League of Cleveland, the NAACP the Cleveland Public Library, the East 147th Street Club, the Lee-Harvard Community Association and sat on the philanthropic counsel of the United Way. While Walter was an active member of the Royal Vagabond Club, Cynthia served as President of the corresponding wives club, The Vagetts. Cynthia’s entire life was dedicated to volunteering in the community and giving and sharing with others. She gave her time, her talents, her knowledge and her love without expectation of return. Cynthia remained a faithful member of Advent Lutheran Evangelical Church for nearly sixty years. She served as Secretary of the Church Council, a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the choir and the Ruth Circle and was the current President of the Women’s Committee. Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory; her son, Dr. David A. Burks, (Jacqueline), her daughter, Karen L. Bailey, (Rupert), her granddaughters, Arielle L. Owens (Brandon) and Jennifer R. Burks and her grandson, Christopher S. Bailey. Two nieces, Cheryl E. Fields and Joyce L. Sewell (Martin) and her cousin, Robert J. Garmon. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cynthia Louise Burks, please visit our floral store. Read More

Cynthia Louise Burks

March 27, 1927 - December 25, 2022