Mary Burke-Scott

Mary Margaret Provenza Burke Scott was born September 11, 1927 in Shreveport La. Margaret passed away on Wednesday 02-26-2020 at her home surrounded by her family.

Margaret was 92 years of age and passed away from Alzheimer’s disease.

A memorial service will be held at the 1st Baptist Church of Kennedale 309 Kenney St. Kennedale Tx. 76060 At 1pm. There will be a celebration of Life reception immediately following located at: Cliff Nelson Recreation Center 4600 W. Bardin Rd. Arlington, TX. 76017

Margaret was preceded in death by her Father, Tony Johnie Provenza of Mooringsport La., and her Mother, Laura James of Palestine Tx., and 3 Grandchildren: Sarah Burke, David Burke and Zachariah Burke.

Margaret has 5 children: Robert Burke of Colleyville Tx., Beverly Burke of Arlington Tx., Walter John Burke of Turlock Ca., Gary Miller of Desoto Tx., Mary Burke of Arlington Tx.

And 5 Grandchildren: Zadrin Burke of Arlington, Tx. Stephen Miller of Mansfield Tx. and wife Courtney, Shawn Miller of Alexandria, Va. Jacob Miller of Arlington Tx., and Allison Bohannon of Midland Tx. and Husband Trey

Margaret was also blessed with 7 Great Grandchildren: Dylan, Rylan, Audrey, and Natalie Miller of Mansfield Tx., Kelsey and Landon Bohannon of Midland Tx. and Logan Burke of Mansfield Tx.

Margaret’s Father Tony Provenza and his parents moved from Cefalu, Sicily Italy in 1892, when Tony was 5.

They arrived in New Orleans, La. and then worked their way up to Shreveport, La. where they remained for rest of their lives. Tony had a brother named Sam Provenza that was born in Shreveport in July 6 1911.

Margaret grew up in Shreveport La. and graduated high school from Fair Park HS in 1944.

After graduation Margaret attended secretarial school in Lake Charles, La.

Margaret meet Walter John Burke while in Lake Charles La. and they married and started their family. They remained in Lake Charles for many years before moving to Biloxi, Ms., and then later to Dallas, Tx. Walter & Margaret were in the Mobile Homes sales business. once Walter passed away in 1972, Margaret continued in the Mobile Home business but moved the family back to Shreveport.

Margaret continued in the Mobile Home business until she moved to Palestine, Tx. in 1976 to be near her mother Laura James. While in Palestine Margaret worked in the Life Insurance Sales Business. In 1979 Margaret met Joel Edward Scott of Jacksonville, Tx. Everyone called him Scotty. Margaret moved to Jacksonville, Tx in 1980 and remained there until 2006. Margaret and Scotty were in the Metal Recycling Business until Scotty retired around 2000. Scotty passed away in 2005 from cancer and Margaret stayed in Jacksonville to be close to her Mother, Laura James until she passed away in 2006 at the age of 98. Margaret then relocated to Arlington, Tx. until her Death in February 2020.

Margaret loved to drive and to ride, she would throw the kids in the car and off they would travel across the country. Margaret was very independent and strong, she instilled those qualities in her children and grandchildren. Margaret loved all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Margaret would do anything and everything she could for them, from putting food on the table in the early days, to purchasing all the grandchildren their first car at the age of 16.

Margaret also enjoyed Sweepstaking, frequenting Casino all over the country and the world.  One of Margaret’s passion was she loved to cook. She enjoyed having large family gatherings and cooking the food for them all. When Margaret Mother, Laura James turned 80, Margaret threw a huge party. She insisted on cooking all the food, and let me tell you, there was a lot of food. Still to this day, I do not have any idea how Margaret pulled it off.  To tell you the truth, as far as I can remember, Margaret always had large family gatherings and she supplied enough food for the State of Texas.

Margaret was the KIDS Mom, from the early days in Shreveport; Margaret would be the mom that all the kids would come to when they needed anything, food, a ride, or to come get them when they got into trouble. This never changed, after moving to Palestine the high school kids loved Margaret, she went on the high school Band trips, and to Friday night football games. The kids would come hang out at Margaret’s house. Mom never shut her door to anyone, she never refused to give anyone anything. One thing about Margaret is that she listened, and she never judged, she would not give lectures or advise on what to do or what not to do.  She was always open and happy. Margaret was a hard worker, she worked her whole life, and sometimes in the early days, raising 4 children on her own after our father passed away, and the oldest son Robert went into the Navy, Margaret would have 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet. However, that was the 70’s.

Margaret loved and I mean loved music. Her daughter Mary took her to see many concerts, one of her favorites was Glen Miller Orchestra, and Chicago with special guest Earth, Wind and Fire, she danced and sang and enjoyed herself.

Her daughter Beverly would take her to outdoor concerts in Arlington at least once or twice a week. Margaret enjoyed herself so much, she would clap, and dance and sing along and here again, she never meets a stranger, always friendly and talk to people like she knew them for years.

Margaret loved life, she tried it all, from Zip Lining in the Jungles of Costa Rica, which they call

“Tree Topping” because you go from treetop to treetop, to riding on the back of elephants for long journeys up rivers and mountains of Thailand. Margaret even zip lined at the age of 80 in the Desert of Belize Mexico.

Margaret travel to many places, including taking a cruise to Alaska and Mexico, she visited Hawaii with her Mother Laura James back in 1984. Margaret was blessed to be able to visit many foreign countries throughout her life, she visited England, Thailand, China, Sicily, France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Jamaica and Cuba.

Margaret was very well mannered and polite.

Margaret loved people and especially the Kids as you can see in many of the pictures being presented today.

Margaret will be missed but never forgotten….

We Love you MOM, Granny, Mee-maw and Maggie.