Rena Lucille Burke

Rena Lucille Whidbee Burke

March 16, 1926 – August 30, 2023

Rena Lucille Whidbee Burke, 97, died August 30, 2023 at
Diversicare of Amory. Born March 16, 1926, in D’Lo, MS, she was the daughter of the late Rena Turnage Whidbee and the late John Cleveland (Jack) Whidbee.

Mrs. Burke was a graduate of Columbia High School, Columbia, MS, where she lettered in basketball. Upon graduation, she attended Columbia Hospital’s Nursing Program. On December 7, 1945 in Pascagoula, MS, she married John P. Burke Jr., a Boston, MA native. While living in Moss Point, MS, Mrs. Burke worked in accounting at J. C. Penny’s and Ingalls Shipbuilding. Moving to Amory in 2008, she was a member of First Baptist Church and a resident of Diversicare. She enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling, having visited all 48 continental states. As a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Burke looked forward to spending time with her family.

She is survived by a son, Ray Burke (Becky) of Amory, MS; and two daughters, Janis Switzer (Wayne) of Grand Bay, AL, and Judy Gilmore (Danny) of Columbia, MS; 6 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters; Etoile Pittman, and Ira Albritton; two brothers; Al Whidbee; and Ray Whidbee.

A committal service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Columbia, MS, at
2 PM, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, with Bro. Darel Daniels, Pastor of Improve Baptist Church, officiating. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery at 1:50 pm.

Donations may be made in honor of Lucille to the Carillon Fund c/o FBC Amory, PO Box 540, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuenralHome.com