Elvir Stanley Obituary (1941

On a bright Tuesday morning, February 18, 2014, our beloved sister, niece, aunt, cousin, friend, and confidante, Elvir Winifred Burkett Stanley was promoted to Glory. She was at the home of Alvin and Sylvia Tilghman in Severn, MD, where she had gone to recuperate; and where many of her family and friends visited to lend support to her well-being. Elvir, the daughter of Charles and Christine Burkett, was a kind, loving, jovial and passionate young lady who was born October 20, 1941 at the home of her grandparents in Rhodesdale, MD. As a child, Elvir, affectionately known as Elvie, attended public schools in Dorchester County, MD. She graduated from Maces Lane High School in 1959 and for a brief time, attended Benjamin Franklin Business School in Philadelphia, PA. Elvir accepted the Lord at a young age at Zoar United Methodist Church in Reids Grove, MD and was a member of Waugh United Methodist Church in Cambridge, MD. She also attended Reid Temple in Glenn Dale, MD. In 1966, Elvir left Cambridge to embark on a career in Washington, DC. She worked at and retired from the Department of Education as a College Grant Administrator. In 1970, Elvir was married to Arnette Stanley with the marriage ending in divorce. Elvir was a civic-minded person who could be seen in several civil rights marches around town, as well as going to jail (needless to say, she only tried jail once). For 27 years, Elvir, a devoted charter member, was very active in the Maces Lane Alumni Association. She could always be counted on to register participants, collect tickets and funds at events, and attend meetings. She always effectively coordinated the repast for the annual Awards Ceremony during the Maces Lane Reunion weekend. She was passionate about other organizations as well, including the Cedar Meadows Rod and Gun Club where she served as the Corresponding Secretary. She spearheaded its annual holiday event and assisted with the annual Crab Feast in September. Elvir always did what she could to help ensure the success of the event. Additionally, Elvir was an active member of the Classy Ladies of Ghobs Red Hatters, a group of retired ladies out to have fun. Before her illness, she never missed an activity. Elvir loved and cared for her family throughout her life. She spent hours taking care of her brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins as though they were her own. Elvir also moved back to Cambridge in 2013 to care for her mother Christine. Elvir could be counted on to attend most, if not all, family functions. She served as an Area Coordinator for the Thomas-Pinkett Diaspora, helping to share news and information about the organization. She traveled with her family members to the meetings and helped plan many of the family events. Preceding her in death were her parents: Charles and Christine Burkett; her aunts, Marjorie (Luther) Thomas, Winifred Pinkett, Mary Jane (Leon) Cephas, Irene (Charles) Ward; and her uncles, Earl Pinkett, Linwood Major, John Wesley Pinkett, Jr., and Quitman Pinkett. Elvir leaves a legacy of love and memories to the two brothers she was raised with, Gary (Kelli) Burkett of Bowie, MD and Gale (Jean) Burkett of League City, TX; her aunts, Ruby and Hazel Pinkett of Philadelphia, PA, Glendora Major of Cambridge, MD, Faye Pinkett of Harbor City, CA and Sylvia (Alvin) Tilghman of Severn, MD. She is also survived by a niece Dionne (Tyrone) Lewis of Burtonsville, MD; and nephews Sean (Keisha) Burkett of Upper Marlboro, MD, Ivan (Breanne) Burkett of Pearland, TX and Byron Burkett of San Antonio, TX; a great niece Zoe Burkett of Upper Marlboro and a great nephew Dylan Burkett of Pearland, Texas. She also leaves to mourn a host of devoted cousins, relatives and dear friends. Homegoing services will be held on Sat., March 1st, 1pm, at Waugh Chapel United Methodist Church, 425 High St., Cambridge, Maryland with a viewing two hours prior to service. Interment in the church cemetery.