Elva Burkett

LAKE SHAWNEE - Elva Truler Burkett, 92, of Rock, departed this life peacefully on Sunday, May 29, 2011 following a short illness. Born February 22, 1919 at Piedmont, she was the daughter of the late Charles Graham and Elizabeth Midkiff Graham. Aunt Elva loved many nieces and nephews, the children of her brothers and sisters and her husband, Warner’s family. She was especially close to her brother, Milton “Buck” Graham’s children, Donnie Ray Graham, Kenny Layne Graham, Curtis Dale Graham, and Jennifer Rhee Graham. Elva cherished the time that she and Warner spent helping to raise Donnie and Kenny at their home in Rock. The last year of Elva’s life was spent as a resident of rural Montpelier, Virginia at the home of Kenny and Laura Graham. Elva was raised in Piedmont, WV where she was married and lived for 43 years. She was a long-time member and worshiped regularly at the Lakeview Presbyterian Church in Rock, WV. Elva loved her home in Lake Shawnee that she and Warner built in 1962. They loved gardening together and spending time with family, friends and neighbors. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Warner C. Burkett; six brothers, Cletus Graham, Howard Graham, Harold (Boots) Graham, Trigg Graham, Willis Graham and Milton Graham; and four sisters, Ocie Stevens, Helen Smith, Arlie Clark and Norma Jean Graham. Survivors include one brother, C. W. Graham of Mullens. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. Ralph Calfee and the Rev. Bundy Dye officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be nephews Jerry Smith, Ronnie Smith, John Clark, Eugene Clark, Jimmy Graham and Harold Burkett. Friends may call Wednesday, June 1, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mrs. Burkett, or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com. *Please click here to view a video tribute to Mrs. Burkett.

Tributes

Elva Burkett

May 29, 2011