Iwana Ann Burks Long

Iwana Ann Burk Long of Lindale left this earthly world to be with her Lord on May 17,2011. Iwana was born in Mexia on September 6, the youngest of six children born to Mathew W. and Emma Davenport Burk. Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Rusk County Memorial Gardens in Henderson under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale and with the Rev. Ron Byrd officiating. Iwana grew up in Joinerville, graduating from Gaston High School. She was also a graduate of Tyler Jr. College and Stephen F. Austin State University. She attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. While a student at TJC, Iwana was Apache Princess, leading both the band and the Apache Belles. She also sang with an emsemble called "Four Beaus and a Belle." During this same time, she represented the city of Tyler as Miss Tyler in the 1949 and 1950 Miss Texas pageants. At McNeese State, she was head majorette. It was at SFA that she met the man who would capture her heart. She and "her John" shared 53 years of marriage until death took him in 2005. Her career path lead her to the education field. A gifted reading teacher, Iwana spent 27 years in a first grade classroom at Lindale Primary School. She was also a past president of the Smith County Chapter of Texas State Teachers Association. She was a member of University Christian Church, and served as a deacon at First Christian Church in Mineola. Iwana is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lawrence Burk, Howard Burk, and Adrian Burk; and a sister, Opal Brown. She is survived by her loving daughters and son-in-law, Melinda White, Killeen; Molly and Jerry Bacon, Lindale; grandchildren, John White and Alyssa, College Station; Michael and Launa Bacon, Palestine; Dylan Bacon, Lindale; Kerri White, Corpus Christi; Kathryn White, Killeen; Whitney Bacon, Lindale; and Amy Bacon, Palestine; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Calloway and Avery Bacon, Palestine; sisters-in-law Mary Burk, New London; Ann Cother, North Little Rock, Ar; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Houston and Julia Long, Grand Saline; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be John White, Michael Bacon, Dylan Bacon, Jerry Bacon, and Jimmy Brown. The family will receive friends Friday, May 20, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would also like to thank the loving, caring staff of Trinity Mother Frances MICU for all their help and support during this most difficult time. You will be deeply missed, Momma. Give Daddy our love.

Iwana Ann Burks Long

May 17, 2011