Dorothy Burke was born on April 9, 1932 in Atlanta, Georgia to John and Irene Roberts.  She went home to be with the Lord on April 16, 2019 at Cleveland Clinic, Akron General Hospital after a long illness.  In 1938 Dorothy’s parents moved to Akron, Ohio looking for a better life.  She attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from South High in 1950.  After graduation, she married James Willis Burke Sr.

Dorothy loved housekeeping and taking care of her family.  Upon visiting her home, it was always spotless and in order! She was prudent in understanding of how to make a family healthy and happy.  Mom centered her life around the Lord and experienced the joyous saving grace of Jesus Christ at an early age.  Many times she reflected on the “good old preaching and teaching services” at Bethel on Hart Street.  Dorothy loved her husband, “Fang”, who she was married to for 60 years and through that marriage there were three children born.  Her mother, Irene Turner was an unflinching inspiration to her whom she talked about often.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Irene Roberts; devoted husband, James Burke Sr.; daughter, Yvonne Burke-Jones; brother, John Thomas Roberts.

She is survived by her loving sons, James Burke Jr. (Michele), Tony C. Burke; brother, John Henry Roberts; grandchildren, Darius, Tony Jr., Alexis, Octavia, James III, Jordan, and Jaelynn; sister-in law, Laura Burke of Petersburg, VA.; nephews, Calvin, Carl, James, Ronnie, Marvin and Butch Letear of Atlanta, GA; nieces, Carolyn, Sharon (Teddy), Phyllis Wooley (Jackie) of Atlanta, GA., Alice Brown of Petersburg, VA.; cousins, Barbra Owens of Columbus, OH, Dorothy Townsend-Gabin of Youngstown, OH, Donald Wiggins of Wadsworth, IL. and a host of relatives and friends.