Essie was born in Ray, Georgia, November 11, 1918 to the late Mittie Viola Luke and the late Charlie Edmond Duggan. She graduated from Ray, Georgia High School and had been a resident of Brunswick, for thirty-five years. Essie was a member of the Pine Ridge Baptist Church. Essie was a devoted Sunday School Teacher for thirty years for the Pine Ridge Senior Women’s Class and a homemaker.
In addition to Essie’s parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Elzie Taft Burke; two brothers, Delma and Elma Duggan and a sister, Mattie Lou Hodges.
Essie is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Utz of Brunswick; sister in law, Jean Duggan, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, sixteen nieces, nephews and many extended family members and friends.
A graveside service is to be held 1 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Douglas City Cemetery in Douglas Georgia where Pastor Jerry Johns is to officiate. Interment will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pine Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund, 15 Nimitz Dr. Brunswick, Georgia 31520.