Rena Lucille Whidbee Burke
97, Amory
A committal service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Woodlawn Cemetery for Rena Lucille Whidbee Burke, 97, of Amory, who died on Wednesday, Aug. 30, in Amory. Bro. Darel Daniels officiated at the service.
Born on March 16, 1926, in D’Lo, she was the daughter of the late Rena Turnage Whidbee and the late John Cleveland (Jack) Whidbee.
She was a graduate of Columbia High School, where she lettered in basketball. Upon graduation, she attended Columbia Hospital’s Nursing Program. On Dec. 7, 1945, in Pascagoula, she married John P. Burke Jr., a Boston, Mass., native. While living in Moss Point, she worked in accounting at J.C. Penney’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, she looked forward to spending time with her family.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Etoile Pittman and Ira Albritton; and two brothers, Al Whidbee and Ray Whidbee.
Survivors include her son, Ray Burke (Becky) of Amory; two daughters, Janis Switzer (Wayne) of Grand Bay, Ala., and Judy Gilmore (Danny) of Columbia; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in her honor to the Carillon Fund c/o FBC Amory, P.O. Box 540, Amory, MS 38821.
Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuenralHome.com.
