Emmie "Boots" Fulton Burk

Emmie "Boots" Fulton Burk, 100 years young, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2022 in San Antonio with her family by her side. Boots was born on March 2, 1921 in Koblenz, Germany to an American military family stationed overseas. She then sailed across the Atlantic Ocean at the young age of two years old to Tybee Island, Georgia. Growing up in Geogia with her father, Boots learned early on the importance of family and community. She was a member of the very first Girl Scout troop on Ft. Screven, Georgia (Tybee Island). When her father, MSgt. Benjamin Fulton was later stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Boots moved and finished high school at Brackenridge in 1939. She has been a proud Texan ever since!

On February 6, 1942, she married the love of her life, James William Burk ("Jim"). Boots and Jim together created a loving home and both enjoyed raising their son and daughter and traveling together as a family. Boots and Jim were very active in their childrens schools and extracurricular activities. Boots also served as a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout Den Leader, Girl Scout Troop Leader and many other community service roles. Boots was independent, career driven, and worked part-time for several market research companies. After the passing of her husband in 1979, she started her own market research company, growing it into a successful venture through the 1990s. And as if that wasnt enough, she continued to work for the U.S. Census Bureau for over 40 years. In 1991, she traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the Bronze Medal for meritorious service. She retired at the age of 90 with 43 years of service, making her one of the longest serving members in the Bureaus history. When someone asked, "What will you do now, Boots?" She confidently replied, "Its time for my next career!" And once again, she had one! She worked at Burk Lumber Sales until she was 98 years old.

Boots took tremendous pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and it gave her tremendous joy and happiness to attend as many of their games, events, and travel opportunities that she could. She was known as "Pootee" by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all their friends. And, just like the uniqueness of her name, she was truly one-of-a-kind. Her Pootee Christmas Eve Shows were legendary! From Willie Nelson, to Uncle Sam, the Y2K Bug, Mary Poppins, Miss Hawaii, Cat in the Hat and to her last and most perfect one, Wonder Woman, you never knew who was coming to spread joy, love, and good cheer! Although life was not always easy for her, Boots was a "Half Glass Full Girl" and would often say, "Life can give you pains, but you sure dont have to be one." She never met a stranger, and her loving, upbeat personality and zest for life always inspired family and friends.

Boots was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Jim Burk. She is survived by her son, James William Burk Jr. and his wife Linda; daughter, Elizabeth Ann and her husband Doug Walker; her grandchildren, Bobby Burk and his wife Jill; Lee Anne and her husband Brian Gothard; Patrick Burk; and Christina and her husband Todd Thetford; and by her ten great-grandchildren Will and his wife Hailee; Hayden, Brinley, Abby, Jimmy, Fields, Evelyn, Walker, Sadie and Grace.

The family is forever grateful for all the love and support so many have given Boots over the years. They would also like to especially thank Vitas Hospice and her personal caregivers.

A Celebration of Boots Life will be held on February 11th beginning with a Visitation at 2:00pm and a Service at 3:00pm at Porter Loring, 1101 McCullough Avenue. Those unable to attend the service may watch the livestreaming from this link. Interment will be private for the family. lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tybee Island Lighthouse at tybeelighthouse.org, or a charity of your choice.

Click here to watch the livestreaming of her service.