Reba Estelle Tucker Burkes, 97 years and 10 months of age, went to the arms of her Heavenly Father on September 1, 2014 in Midland, Texas.

The family received friends on Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, Texas.  Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Pleasant Valley Community, Eastland County, Texas.

Reba was born on November 1, 1916 in the Pleasant Valley Community, Eastland County, Texas to Roy Mathew Tucker and Bessie Lee Hardin Tucker.  Reba married Lowell Erwin Burkes on May 30, 1936 in Cisco, TX.  Reba and Lowell were married 53 years until Lowell's death in February of 1990.

Reba graduated from Carbon High School.  She attended college at Cisco Junior College (which is where she and Lowell met) and later graduated from Howard Payne College in Brownwood.  Besides raising a family, Reba spent her career teaching in Texas public schools.  Both Reba and Lowell retired from Ector County ISD then moved to their retirement home on Lake Brownwood where many happy days were spent with family and friends.  After Lowell's death Reba moved to Midland to be near family.

Reba was artistic.  She made dozens of beautiful quilts and afghans.  She painted oil paintings of her grandchildren and flowers.  She painted china and figurines.  Reba was an excellent cook.  Her homemade biscuits and gravy made breakfasts memorable and  her cobblers were spectacular.

Reba is survived b y her son, Jack Burkes and his wife, Beverly, of Midland; by son Jim Burkes and wife, Myrna of San Antonio; by daugher,  Riga Dickey and husband Buster, of Midland; and by daughter-in-law Allene Burkes Smith and  her husband, Dr. David Smith of Lubbock.

Grandchildren are Terry Burkes and wife, Kelli, of Midland; Todd Burkes and wife, Judy of Spring; Amy Burkes Rodriguez and husband, Thomas, of San Antonio; Beth Burkes Hankinson and husband, Matt, of San Antonio; Dr. Douglas Burkes and wife, Patti of Washington State; Matt Dickey and wife, Kayla, of Midland, Karol Burkes of Seymour; and Kristi Burkes Deason and husband, Dr. Chris Deason of Florida.  Great-grandchildren are Dr. Jonathan Burkes; William Burkes and wife, Sarah; Kathleen burkes; Kristen Burkes Davis and husband, Patrick Davis; Kolten Burkes; Madison Richie; Taylor Richie; Ryan Rodriguez; Walker Hankinson; Heidi Hankinson; Garrett  Dickey; Morgan Dickey; Holden Burkes; Hannah Burkes;Hadley Burkes; Randall Saenz; Cintrina Johnston; Kimberly Johnston; Ariah Deason; Tiva Deason and Step-great grandchildren Kira Boen and husband, Kris and Devin Hampton.  Reba also had 4 great-great grandchildren.

Reba was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Lowell Burkes; by one son, Dr.  Tommy R. Burkes, in 1998; by an infant son, Terry Erwin Burkes, in 1939; and by a grandson,  T. R. Burkes, Jr. in 1971.  Also preceding Reba were  her brothers, Claud Tucker, Joe Tucker and Gerald Tucker; brothers-in-law Ovid Burkes, T. J. Burkes and Claxton Speer; and sisters-in-law Clara Burkes Speer and Maudine Burkes Rambo.

Reba is survived by a sister, RayNelle Hancock and Richland Hills; by sister-in-law, Shirley Tucker of Cisco; by sister-in-law, Sara Tucker of Eastland; by brother-in-law, Doyce Burkes and wife, Gillian of CO and AZ; and by brother-in-law, Ernest Rambo of CO.  Reba is survived by a  special cousin, Maxine Garrett, of Midland and by beloved nieces and nephews, many cousins, and a few of her friends from childhood.