LaVera Burt Obituary

LaVera J. Wilkins Burt, 86, of Aptos, California, died from complications of COPD on October 27, 2024. She passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family.

LaVera was born on January 3, 1938, in Beggs, OK, to Jasper and Geneva Foust, the second of four daughters. Amid the Depression and in the aftermath of the Dust Bowl, her father moved the family to the West Coast in 1944 to look for work. They eventually settled in Brentwood, CA. LaVera attended schools there, graduating from Liberty High School in 1955.

In June of 1956, LaVera married Jack Wilkins. The couple had two sons, Tim, born in 1957, and Dan, born in 1961. The family moved to Watsonville, CA, in 1968 when Jack took a position as pastor of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Although initially reluctant to take on the role of "pastor's wife," LaVera embraced her new life, playing the piano for services, teaching Sunday School, and serving in the Ladies Auxiliary-all while holding a full-time job. Jack retired from the pastorate in 1977 due to illness and passed away in 1981.

LaVera's career with the California Employment Development Department spanned 28 years. She rose through the ranks to the position of Office Manager of the Watsonville branch. She also managed the Monterey office for a time.

In the fall of 1992, LaVera married Ed Burt. Avid golfers, they played courses throughout California and enjoyed many golf vacations to Hawaii. They were longtime members of the Pajaro Valley Golf Club, where LaVera was active in the Women's Club, serving as treasurer for many years. She enjoyed golfing with the good friends she made there. She was club champion five times and made a hole-in-one an astounding seven times. She continued to play golf several days a week until she was 84. LaVera was a clever, confident woman – always sure she could do anything she put her mind to. Her late husband, Jack, said she would try open-heart surgery if she ever had a chance. While that opportunity never emerged, she did try her hand at oil painting, refinishing furniture, and writing-and proved adept at all of them. She was delighted to discover the game of golf, which she excelled at thanks to the mentoring of her husband, Ed, who passed away in 2014. She was also an excellent dancer. She and Ed made an elegant pair on the dance floor.

LaVera was a loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved hosting family gatherings, always with good food, games, and plenty of laughter. Her favorite tradition when her grandchildren were young was providing a small mountain of presents under her tree for them to open on Christmas Eve. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her children: Tim Wilkins, of Santa Cruz, CA; and Dan (wife Lauren) Wilkins, of Watsonville, CA; her grandchildren Tim Wilkins II of Santa Cruz, CA; Erika Wilkins, of Aptos, CA; and Jack Wilkins, of San Francisco, CA; and her sister and brother-in-law, Sheilia and Don Pitau, of Byron, CA. Ed's sons Michael Burt and the late Eddie Burt were special to her, as was Michael's daughter, Courtney Burt.

The family wishes to thank Laura Ruiz and the loving caregivers of Capitola Home Care, as well as Hospice of Santa Cruz for all they did to help make LaVera's final days comfortable. Mehl's Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. At her request, services will be private.