Jewell May Chandler Burk, 86, of Silver City, NM, left this earth on Thursday September after a short illness, to be with her Lord and Savior. She died at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Jewell was born on August 25, 1934, the youngest of four children born to A.H. (Slim) and Mae Chandler, of Central (Santa Clara), NM. The center of life for the Chandler family was the small adobe church building, built by Jewell’s great-grandfather in 1943. The First Baptist Church of Central met there for many years. As a child, Jewell learned from her parents to love and serve God. Her father also taught her to enjoy the outdoors.
They spent many happy hours hunting, camping, hiking, and picnicking in the Gila National Forest. Her mother taught Jewell the joys of cooking good food for the people she loved. Throughout her life, nothing made Jewell happier than to gather family and friends for an all day picnic in the woods, cook a big, delicious meal over a campfire and sit around eating, laughing and telling stories with her loved ones.
After graduating from Western High School, Jewell attended Decatur Baptist College, Decatur, Texas and Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. One of her roommates was Barbara Gray. The two girls became best friends for life and were welcomed into each other’s family. While in Texas, Jewell met and fell in love with a handsome soldier named Ted Burk. In 1961, Ted and Jewell returned to Grant County to be married in the little adobe church in Central. They both graduated from WNMU with education degrees and both taught in the public schools of Grant County for many years. The Burks built a house north of Silver City where they lived, raised their four sons, and welcomed friends and family for over fifty years.
Jewell had a deep love for children and showed her love and concern by being involved in the activities and interests of the children of her family, as well as the children of her church and the schools where she worked for 43 years. Her talents as a teacher were offered unselfishly. She served as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher at First Baptist Church in Silver City and First Baptist Church of Central for many years and also, recently served as VBS Director for the Southwestern Baptist Association. Public School students were happy to be in Mrs. Burk’s class and those needing extra help found her a willing tutor. She also taught at The Special School for Special Children, which later became LifeQuest. Jewell was inducted into the WNMU Educational Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jewell formed warm friendships with her fellow-teachers through the years. She was active in Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators, and served as President for a year. The support and friendship she enjoyed with these professional peers was a source of great joy to her.
Jewell was truly a living example of self-sacrificing love and compassion, telling the world of her love for Christ as she went about her everyday life. She embraced anyone who was lonely or needy and drew them into her big, happy family.
No words can tell how much we loved her nor how much we owe to her. She made each life she touched a little better. She will be deeply missed, but her family rejoices to know Jewell is singing in the heavenly choir!
She is survived by her children, Jonathan Burk (Tasha Hagerdon), David Burk (Tassie), Daniel Burk (Jaretta), Nathanael Burk (Jeanette); Sister-in-Christ, Barbara Gray Pendleton-Turnage (Don); Sisters-in-law, Annalou Chandler and Annette Burk; twenty-one grandchildren, Jacob Burk, Kayla Burk, Ellana Burk, Jake Harvill, Rachel Ogden (Sean), Amberly Burk (Casey Rohweder), Tannon Burk, Rakaylyn Burk, Amanda Burk, Ashley Burk, Autumn Burk, Alyssa Burk, Anette Burk, Jeanne Marie Gutierrez (Justin), Jeremy Michael Gardner, Joanna Gardner, Wyatt, Grace, Claire, Cole, and Luke Pendleton; four great-grandchildren, Riley and Joel Ogden, Carter and Layla Rohweder, Charlotte and Caleb Gutierrez; nephews, Rod Chandler (Dixie), Dudley Chandler (Debbie); nieces, Cindy Maxwell (John Rogers) and Sherri Chandler; seven great nieces and great nephews; thirteen great-great nieces and nephews; her godchildren, Jewell Eva Burns (Shad), and George Pendleton (Dianne).
She is preceded in death by her husband Ted C. Burk, a granddaughter, Kelsey Burk, two brothers, RL Chandler and Sanford Chandler; his sister, Emma Chandler; his sister in-law, Charlene Chandler.
Visitation will be Friday, September 11 from 5:30-8:00pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels. The funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, September 12 at 9:30am at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Rod Chandler officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jonathan, David, Daniel and Nathanael Burk, George Pendleton Jr., Jacob Zunich, Tannon Burk, Jeremy Michael Gardner, Jacob Harvill. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Chandler, James Maxwell, Gabriel Maxwell, Michael Maxwell, and the Dallas Cowboys. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.