Alta Ellen Shanks
Ava, MO

Alta Ellen Shanks the daughter of Delbert Burdan and Leta Victoria (Copas) Burdan was born June 26, 1917 in Bertha, MO and departed this life May 5, 2008 in the Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield, MO at the age of 90 years 10 months and 9 days.

On May 3, 1933 Alta and Everett Lakey were united in marriage in Bertha, MO and to this union five children were born. Mr. Lakey preceded Alta in death. In 195l Alta and Gordon Shanks were united in marriage in Arkansas and to this union a daughter was born. Mr. Shanks also preceded Alta in death. Alta was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Cleo Stacks, Anna McDaniel and Opal Pool, twin brothers, Orville and Norville Burdan and granddaughter, Faira Watterson.

Alta was a life long resident of Ava. She was a Christian and was baptized. She loved gardening, canning, and making homemade bread for her family.
Alta also loved to sew and make quilts.

Her survivors include six children and spouses, James Thomas "J.T." Lakey and Lori, Davenport, IA, Lula and Donald Dyer, Springfield, MO, Boyd and Pat Lakey, Birch Tree, MO, Gaytha and Jim Watterson, Ava, MO, Norma and Lee Cornelison, Charlotte, N.C., Regina and Jim Evans, Ava, MO, 19 grandchildren, several great and great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 8, 2008 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO, with Pastor Mark Hatcher officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Wed. 6 to 7 P.M. in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gideons International.