Retta Burke

Retta Burke

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Tuesday, February 6, 2018, Mrs. Loretta “Retta” Kearns Burke, 81, loving wife of the late John W. Burke, Jr.

Retta was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She was a graduate of Mt. St. Joseph. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, and was a founding member of the Irish American Heritage Society.

Family members include son: Sean Kearns Burke and wife, Kristi of Augusta; daughter: the late Shannon Burke Agee; son-in-law: Jeff Agee; grandchildren: William Benjamin Agee, Jeffery Burke Agee, Sean McCauley Burke and Kathryn Ellen Burke; sister: Sister Anna Bridget Kearns, C.S.J.; her many nieces and nephews and Stuart Little. Retta was preceded in death by her parents: Tim and Annie Kearns; siblings: Dennis Kearns, Timothy Kearns, Mary Garren, Johnny Kearns, Katherine Sitler, Billy Kearns and Frankie Bresnahan.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ghamande and all the staff at AU Cancer Center and Dr. Don Loebl for his guidance and excellent care. Special thanks to Mr. Wise for his love and care.

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark J. Ross celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be John Mulherin, Dennis Welch, Noel Schweers, Patrick Kelly, Patrick Hatch, Wesley Scott, Edward Dorr, Joseph Walker, Tony Wood and David Selby. Honorary pallbearers will be her nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Retta’s children and grandchildren, to Aquinas High School 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904.

A vigil service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M. with visitation to follow until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com