Wilsona Lee Burke

Wilsona, the second daughter of the late Clyde L. and Mattie Lee Burke was born on March 9, 1944 in Raleigh where she resided throughout her life. She attended Fred Olds Elementary and later Broughton High School, where she graduated with honors. She was the granddaughter of Will and Nettie Craig of Lee County and M.S. and Josie Burke of Chatham County.

In 1966 after choosing Campbell College as her choice of higher education she graduated with a degree in education and a portfolio which included involvement with the religious and educational community outreach programs of the Baptist Student Union. She served as Vice President of the Young Women's Auxiliary whose purpose was, “to meet the needs in the community and in the world through the unselfish giving of time and talent,” a premise which became the hallmark of Wilsona's life.

Wilsona enjoyed a long, dedicated teaching career of 30 years beginning with Berry O'Kelly School and continued at J.W. York Elementary in Raleigh, where she was recognized as an outstanding, Wake County educator. Her passion for guiding students to reach their full potential plus her exemplary teaching skills, a special love for N. C. history and the lasting legacy of admiration, gratitude and respect by parents, students, and fellow educators led to her being selected as a contributing editor for a chapter in a state adopted textbook, North Carolina-The Land and Its People for elementary students. As an extension of her career and love for teaching about N.C. Wilsona served as a valued volunteer resource at the N.C. Museum of History to train docents for class tours. Wil was one of the first “N.C. Volunteers” in a 60's program operating under the auspices of the Peach Corps, serving poverty stricken communities within our state. More recently she was a principal contributor to a recent UNC thesis project and public television documentary on this program.

Wil was a life-long member of Forest Hills Baptist Church and contributed to that community through her membership in Sunday School, the WMU, committee leadership and her Card Mailing Ministry, the Valentine Cookie Project and her own Homeless Angel Ornament Project. She raised money for the Raleigh Rescue Mission through sales of her gift-boxed homeless angel ornaments made by a local Raleigh artist/friend.

She continued her devotion to education through her longtime involvement with the professional service sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa of which she was an active member.

Wilsona is survived by a nephew, Robert Barbour and wife, Terry, a great niece, Danielle, great nephew, Christopher; great niece, Jennifer Moore and husband, Richard, and great nephew, Tim Adams and wife, Elizabeth.

Family Visitation at Forest Hills Baptist Church on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary and burial to follow at Montlawn Cemetery, Hwy 70E. in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations may be made in her name to Forest Hills Baptist Church, Raleigh, N,C, for an education fund or to Hospice House, Trinity Rd., Raleigh, N.C.