She was the fourth of six surviving children. She graduated from Caribou High School in 1967. Shortly after graduation she moved to Washington D.C. where she started her career as a civilian secretary for the United States Navy. A few years later she met Sergeant Robert “Bob” Lee Burks who was serving in the Army in Washington D.C. After his polite persistence she agreed to go out with him. His southern charm and a dress uniform was hard to resist. They married September 10, 1971 in Caribou Maine. They moved to southeast Arkansas where Bob worked as a forester for Georgia Pacific. Coming from Maine, Arkansas heat and southern cooking were an adjustment for Marty.
In 1973 they moved and made their home in Louisville, MS, where she became a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In April, 1975 Debbie was born followed by Amanda in December, 1978.
Marty, as everyone knew her, stayed at home and raised “her girls”. She hand-sewed Halloween costume and served as homeroom Mom. She organized field days and served as a girl scout leader. She drove her girls to dance practice, school, softball practice and games. She never quite mastered making biscuits but she baked and gave the most wonderful Christmas treats. Her “tea cake” cookies are the stuff of legend and hopefully you had the privilege to try one.
Marty loved reading books. She enjoyed reading to her girls and she later became assistant librarian in Fordyce, AR. She also served as Vice President of Friends of the Library in Louisville, MS.
Marty loved all creatures. She always had a faithful canine that would walk daily with her. The most memorable pet Stormy, a black lab, would go retrieve her own leash so Marty could walk her. Simon-Peter, a yellow tabby, was the third wheel on her honeymoon. There were rabbits, squirrels, a racoon and too many others to recall, she never turned down a rescue.
After moving and living in Fordyce, Arkansas for eight years, Marty and Bob moved back to Louisville to retire.
Her greatest joy was being Mimi to her five grandchildren ages ranging from twenty-two to five years old whom she adored. She attended almost every awards ceremony, church or school program, dance recital, soccer match, birthday party and softball game. She would sit in the sun or rain and enjoy every second. She would drop everything and help with sick grands or really anything her “girls” needed her to do.
The last several years she enjoyed getting to travel with the Bob sometimes just the two, sometimes with extended family, with trips to her home state of Maine, up and down the East Coast, Alaska and of course Colorado. Marty loved the mountains.
She was an avid fan, yet passive supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks although she probably had PTSD from watching with Bob.
Marty is survived by her loving husband, Bob of fifty years and 364 days, two daughters, Debbie Carnell, husband Josh, two granddaughters Kylie and Carson, her youngest daughter Amanda, husband Dr. Matt Runnels, grandson Walker, two granddaughters Lilly and Stella, two sisters Joyce Donovan of Lincoln, California, Cathy Donovan (Al) of Cross Lake Township, ME two brothers Jerry Donovan of Brunswick, ME and Bob Donovan of Presque Isle, ME.
She is preceded in death by her parents Clinton and Lillian Donovan of Caribou, Maine and a sister, Jane Donovan.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Louisville, MS. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 1:00 P.M. until 2:30 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers her family asks that donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Louisville, MS or the Louisville Animal Shelter in Louisville, MS.
If you feel sad or miss her, go outside look at the sunshine, flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies, that’s where she will be.
