Sallie Dailey Burks

Sallie Dailey Burks was born 95 years ago in the Mt. Zion Community of Princeton, Arkansas in Dallas County. Born August 22, 1923 to the late Will and Birter House Dailey. Sallie and her siblings were raised in a devout Christian home. She learned early in life, her personal path of duty and unselfishly followed it with dedication throughout her life. 

Sallie received her early education in the school system of Mt. Zion and Gurdon. With the assistance of family, Sallie attended and graduated from Dunbar High School in Little Rock.

Professing her faith and accepting Christ as her Lord and Master at an early age, Sallie was baptized at the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served faithfully until her health failed. Sallie’s dedication supported many programs, projects and, ministries and she generously gave her time, money and wisdom to her Church as well as the community.

She served as Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Missionary Society and as Financial Steward and Trustee for Mt. Zion AME Church.

Sallie and Henry Burks married on July 7, 1946. They lived happily for 59 years until his passing on November 20, 2005. To this union no children were born. They initially made their home in Manning, Arkansas, but soon relocated to Rockford, Illinois. After their retirement, they moved back to the Mt. Zion Community and made their house a home of sharing, loving and caring.

A compassionate, warm and loving person, Sal, as she was affectionately known, was a model figure to her family and friends. She guided, counseled and generously shared with them the goodness of her heart, home and food. The home of Sal and Henry was a place where the doors were always open and visitors and family were welcomed to her delicious home-cooked meals, laughter, a place to sleep, play dominoes or just sit and talk. The fourth Saturday in August was a joyous time for Sallie – The Dailey and House Reunion. Sallie’s annual ritual for preparing would begin weeks before, her twin sister Alice would arrive to help her clean, hang curtains and cook. Alice’s daughter, Alice Marie “Pookie” would also come early to assist with the preparations. Oh, what a wonderful time they would have. The week of the reunion more family arrived, some from out of town, some from around the corner, all there to share in the love, laughter and happiness.

As Sal’s health began to fail, family and friends rallied to become her caregivers, daily callers and visitors. Roy, Geneva, Edna, Fannie, Chock, Kay and special caregivers Daphne Williams and son Khi. A special acknowledgment to her late niece Marva Hunter who later moved Sallie into her home and cared for her until her own health failed. Her loving and caring sister Margaret Dailey Temple and children Pat, Kay, Bubby, Mickey and Roy and Blanche Williams made sure that her every care and needs were met until her demise.

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, the Lord called Sallie Dailey Burks home to eternal rest where she resided at Courtyard Gardens Health and Rehabilitation in Arkadelphia Arkansas. May her soul find peace, favor and acceptance with her Maker and indeed may her good works live on.

Sallie was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband Henry A. Burks; four brothers, Nathan, James, George and Andrew Dailey; four sisters, Victoria Williams, MaeGirtha Owens, Willie Dailey and Alice Crawford.

Cherishing her memory one sister, Margaret Dailey Temple of Little Rock, AR; one sister-in-law, Lee Daisy Dailey of Grain Valley, MO; a special niece, Alice Marie Jackson of Houston, TX; a special cousin, Walace Dailey of Oxnard, CA, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends as well as the New Mt. Zion- St. John AME Church Family.

A celebratory service of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at New Mt. Zion-St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church with Rev. John C. Owens, eulogist. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Sparkman, Arkansas.

Active pallbearers will be Cedric Watkins, Patrick Jenkins, Kirk Owens, Tyrone Hunter, Larry Burks and Vincent Owens. The honorary pallbearers will be Roy Williams, Donald Crawford, Charlie Matlock, Ray Owens, James Hunter, Jr., Alvin Crawford, Billy Williams and Mickey Hunter.