Janie Burke

Mary Jane "Janie" Burke was called home to be with the Lord on May 13, 2021. A Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. at Ray Funeral Home on Sunday, May 16, 2021. A Graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lehrton Cemetery. Janie was born May 2, 1948, the daughter of Dr. Carl Grady Nichols, Jr. and Mary Jane Myers Nichols in Rosedale, Mississippi. At age 6, she moved to Leland where she graduated from Leland High School in 1966. Upon graduation she entered the Mississippi State College for Women where she received a bachelor of science in elementary education. While at the "W", Janie was a member of the Silhouette Social Club and the Blacklist, an honorary social club. On August 12, 1972, she married Dennis Rule Burke, Jr. of Ruleville, where they resided until his death in 2013. Janie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ruleville and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville. She was also a member of the Mississippi Delta Chapter of the D.A.R. and the Coterie Club. Janie taught for many years in the Ruleville public school system before retiring from North Sunflower Academy in 2009. Known for her wonderful sense of humor, she was beloved by many as someone who brought laughter and much joy to their lives. Janie was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years and her parents. She is survived by her two children, Dudley Burke Couey of Greenville and Dennis Rule (Emily) Burke, III of Hernando, her sisters, Martha N. Oseman of Memphis, TN, and Lottie Mae N. (Jim) Dawkins of Greenville, brother, Carl G. Nichols, III of Memphis and four grandchildren, Garren Couey, Kirkland Couey, Jack Burke and David Campbell Burke. She is also survived by her uncle, Malcolm S. Nichols of San Diego, CA, her brother-in-law, Dr. Pat (Meg) Burke of Clarksdale, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Sara Jones, Lupe Jackson, Wanda Hodges, Gerri McVay, Carolyn Powell and Dot Watkins for their love and care which brought her much comfort in her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Visitation

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Sunday, May 16, 2021
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Graveside

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Sunday, May 16, 2021
Lehrton Cemetary Marlow rd Ruleville, Mississippi, United States