Personal Information
- Born on October 3, 1942, Gainesboro, Tennessee
- Widow of former Senator Tommy Burks
- Three daughters, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson
- Farmer
- Member, Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville
Community Involvement
- Elected to serve on the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council
- Appointed to serve on the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Board for Putnam County and the Creating Homes Initiative Task Force
- Serves as the Vice Chair for the Upper Cumberland Region for the Tennessee Tourism Caucus Leadership committee for the Tennessee Tourism Roundtable
- 2002 - 2003 Chair, Tennessee Victims of Crime State Coordinating Council
Service in Public Office
- Senate member of the 101st through 107th General Assemblies
- Vice Chair, Senate Ethics Committee
- Secretary, Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee
- Member, Senate Education Committee
Awards
- 2009 - Legislator of the Year, Upper Cumberland Development District
- 2008 - Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence Award
- 2007 - Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Association for Marriage & Family Therapists
- 2007 - Legislator of the Year, NAMI
- 2005 - TVATA Outstanding Cooperation Award
- 2005 - Outstanding State Senator, County Officials Association of Tennessee
- 2005 - Legislator of the Year, Tenessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- 2004 - Friend of the Family Award, Tennessee Home Education Association
- 2003 - Honorary State FFA Degree
- 2003 - Recognition from the U.S. Attorney General, Foundation for Improvement of Justice
- 2002 - Friends of 4-H Award
- 2002 - Putnam County Honorary Chair, March of Dimes
- 2002 - Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Assoc. Of Human Resource Agencies
- 2002 - Award for Service to Tennessee Children and Families, Childhelp USAv
- 2001 - Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- 2000 - Tommy Burks Award as an Advocate for K-12 Students, Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents
- 2000 - Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- 2000 - Legislator of the Year, Upper Cumberland Development District
- 1999 - Legislator of the Year, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency