Laverta Ruth Rollins Lovell Burhans

LaVerta Burhans of Lake Kiowa passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 26, 2011. She was born September 20, 1934 in Snyder, Texas, the daughter of Nina McCormick Rollins and Ivey Matt Rollins. LaVerta married Derl Lovell in 1951 and had two sons, Ulon “Bo” Lovell and Jeffrey Lovell. In April 1990 she married Bill Burhans and they enjoyed more than 20 years of married life together. Her parents and elder son Bo predeceased her, with whom she now has been reunited in Heaven.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Burhans of Lake Kiowa, son Jeff Lovell and wife Georgia, Amy Lovell Britton (the widow of Bo) and husband Del, granddaughter Aubrey Lovell-Britton Mullen and her husband Chris, grandson Travis Lovell-Britton and his wife Trisha, grandson Ben Britton and great-grandson Luke Britton.
LaVerta was best known for her inherent gifts as an artist and sculptor, especially her painting. Many of her students will recall her ability to share these talents in a teaching situation. Art played a major role in her life. Her artistic gifts and the way she expressed herself artistically were evident in all aspects of her life. She will live on in the paintings and sculpture now in private and public hands.
LaVerta had a stellar career in two main areas of business endeavor: economic development and on-location film-making. She headed the Chamber of Commerce in Snyder, and was director of economic development in both Marshal and Jefferson, Texas. LaVerta played a major role in supporting the Soviet Inspection Teams that came to Marshall and Karnack, Texas to observe the elimination of the US Pershing missiles as part of the Intermediate Force Treaty 1988-1991. In 1997, she and Bill moved to Moscow, Russian Federation, where she was active in the expatriate community, living there for 5 years. Moscow was quite an experience for her. As she laughingly put it, “As a young farm girl from Scurry County, Texas, this was the first time that I ever had to live this far off the ground!”
She and Bill returned from Moscow in 2001 and settled at Lake Kiowa. Being a very dynamic lady, LaVerta introduced several innovative programs into that community. The one of which she was most proud was the annual Leadership Lake Kiowa course. She organized and taught the course for seven years. In addition, LaVerta was instrumental in establishment of the youth activities program there.
If you ever met LaVerta, you certainly never would forget her. She was a great mother, a wonderful friend and a devoted wife, an inspiration. She will long be loved and remembered. A Celebration of Remembrance will be held at Lake Kiowa in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please donate in LaVerta’s name to CASA and VISTO here in Gainesville.