Carolyn Ann Burket

January 20, 1936 – October 18, 2026

Carolyn Burket, age 90, of Jacksonville, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 18, 2026. She was married to Allen Burket for 63 years, until his passing in 2015.

Carolyn was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1936 to Mary and James “Dale” Harrison. When she was four, the family moved to Jacksonville. After she finished third grade, they moved to St. Augustine to be near relatives while her father, Dale, served in the Navy Seabees during World War II. When the war ended, the family returned to Jacksonville for a few years, until Dale re-enlisted in the Seabees for the Korean War and the family moved to Port Hueneme, California, for his new tour of duty.

Carolyn met her future husband, Allen, at a California bowling alley when she was just 14 and he was serving in the Navy. They married a year later. A few months after the wedding, Allen was deployed to the Pacific during the Korean War and assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles. During his shore leave, Carolyn returned to Jacksonville with him and began completing her high school graduation requirements.

In 1953, Allen received orders for Norfolk, Virginia, and the couple moved there; their son Dale was born in 1954. In 1955, Allen was ordered to Bainbridge, Maryland, where their daughter Susie was born in 1956. In 1957, Allen was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Antietam in Jacksonville. He had several more Navy assignments there, and the family remained in Jacksonville after he retired from the Navy and went on to work as a Florida legislative staffer.

In 1967, Carolyn began working as a physician’s assistant for a family friend, Dr. Cravy, and continued for three years until his passing. She then worked at Westside Clinic for 22 years before following one of its doctors to his office in Orange Park, where she stayed for three years. She finished her career with Dr. Boyd at a medical office in Fleming Island, working there for 10 years until her retirement in 2005.

After Allen’s passing in 2015, Carolyn joined Blanding Boulevard Baptist Church, where she found a supportive community that helped her live independently for the rest of her life. She loved attending services and Sunday School, joining widows’ luncheons and other activities, and helping with the prayer chain. She also adored her Goldendoodle, Abbey, who was her constant companion. She loved her extended family and cherished visits and contacts with all of them.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Susie Mullinax, and her husband, Skip; her son, Dale Burket, and his wife, Patricia; and her brother, James Dale Harrison Jr., and his wife, Patsy. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Aimee Marvel and her husband, Mike; Charlie Burket; Ryan Burket and his wife, Bekah; and Austin Burket; and by her great-grandchildren, Reagan Marvel, Mason Marvel, Remi Burket, and Rhodes Burket.

Service Information

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Blanding Boulevard Baptist Church, 5005 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210. Visitors will be received for a viewing from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218. Please plan to arrive by 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Carolyn asked that donations be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care in Jacksonville, Florida (communityhospice.com).