Olivia Burks

Olivia Burks, 76, of Newcastle, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Olivia Rhea Steen was born Oct. 12, 1944, in Raton, New Mexico, the oldest of four children born to James Oliver Steen and Lottie Gladys (Dutcher) Steen.

Her early years were spent between New Mexico and Colorado. The Steen family eventually settled in Dumas, Texas, and Olivia graduated high school there in 1962.

She met a young serviceman named Rex Earl Burks. He had just returned from service and was farming at the time. They were the perfect couple, and on Aug. 10, 1963, Rex and Olivia were united in marriage. Together they raised three children, Tracy, Sam and Charlene, and by 1982, they had settled in Newcastle.

Olivia’s greatest joy was her family, and she was never happier than the day she became a grandmother and a great grandmother. She looked forward to spending time with all of them, and couldn’t wait to spoil them.

In 1997, Olivia started working at the Carl’s Jr. in Newcastle. She loved going to work and seeing all of her frequent customers. Olivia loved the Lord, and was a long time and very active member of the First Baptist Church in Newcastle. She will be dearly missed!

She was preceded in death by: her son, Sam Burks; her husband, Rex Burks; her parents, James and Lottie Steen; and her sister, Sandra Trayler.

Olivia is survived by: her son, Tracy Burks and wife Kari of Newcastle; daughter, Charlene Catral of Winston Salem, NC; Two brothers, Samuel Steen and wife Patty of Canyon, Texas, and Jim Steen of Denton, Texas; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law CeCe Burks of Statesville, NC, and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral Services were scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Little’s Chapel, Wilson-Little, Purcell. Interment was Monday, July 12, 2021, at the Fort Sill National Cemetery. The service was livestreamed on the Wilson-Little website, www.wilsonlittle.com and the Wilson-Little Facebook page.