Larry Burke, Sr.

Larry Gene Burke Sr.

Wrens, GA  –              Larry Gene Burke Sr., 72, loving husband to Rose Mary Prickett Burke, entered into his eternal rest early Wednesday morning, October 14, 2020 at his son’s home in Wadley. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2020 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Roger Holley officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Moriah Church Cemetery in Matthews.

The family will receive friends from noon until 2:00 P.M. at James Funeral Home prior to the services on Saturday, October 17, 2020.

Because of the family’s concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

Born to the late Emily Bragg Burke Lambert and the late Lester Burke, Larry, the eldest of seven, grew up in Millen.  He quit school at an early age to help support his family and eagerly learned trucking from his father. Larry worked at several service stations in the Augusta area, then worked a short while at Colonial Bakery before driving a truck 20 years for Lamb Brothers Lumber Company. He then bought and drove his own truck until his health decline, a total of 40 years being a truck driver—a job he loved. After moving to Wrens, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Wrens Baptist Church where he attended when job and health permitted.  An occasional hunter, Larry was mostly a homebody.  Growing up, he was a natural entertainer for his siblings and was said to “keep them straight”.  A people person, he loved to make people laugh and wanted everyone content and happy.   Larry loved his family unconditionally even though time and distance sometimes separated them from each other. No one can replace the void left by Larry, but his memories will live on in the hearts of those he left behind.

Other survivors include his children, Gene Burke Jr. (Tina), Bob Burke (Angie), Michael Burke (Melonie), Jeffrey Burke, Jenny Gonsalves, Debra Coleman and Donna Johnson; six siblings, Gearldeen Burke, James Burke, Brenda Holland, Bernice Bragg (Rufus), Rickie Perryman and Elmer Lambert (Nicole); 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Matt Bird, Donnie Gregory, Joseph Gregory, Christopher Headrick, Kevin Owens and Barrow Walden.