Helen Burke

Helen Nancy Wilson Burke, daughter of the late Isaac Wilson, Sr. and Emma Butler, was born on September 16, 1929 in Butlertown, MD. She departed this life at the Pines Nursing Home on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in Easton, MD. She was the ninth child of 10 children who preceded her in death: Isaac Jr., Eva, Ruth, Jessie Sr., Charles, Howard, Florence and Carolyn. Also preceding her in death were two godchildren, the late Rev. Helen Butler and Byron Hunley. She was educated in the Kent County school system. She was married to the late Jessie Burke on December 18, 1947 and from this union one daughter was born, Deborah and one son, who preceded her in death, Jessie, Jr. in October 1958. Later she moved to the city of Philadelphia, PA with her sister, Carolyn, then returned home in 1957. Helen worked at Vita Foods, Teneco Chemicals and later became a domestic worker for the Goldsteins of Chestertown, MD, the Bishtons of Coleman, MD and the Hamiltons of Quaker Neck, MD until her health began to fail. She joined Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church at an early age and later became involved in many organizations, such as: the Booster Choir, Steward Board, Ada-Butler Missionary Society, Senior Ministry, Adult Sunday School and a member of the Tuesday night Prayer Band of which she would work diligently and serve faithfully. She wore the hat of mom to many because of the love shown toward her family and friends. When God called Rev. Wilson’s mother home, Helen stepped up to the plate as 2nd mother. She also helped raise her sister, Carolyn’s children: Yvonne, Jerome and Linda along with niece, Bootsie and her children. She loved being with her family every chance she got. Going out to eat, shopping, and playing spades with her partner Larry Clark. She loved serving and praising God, even with failing health you couldn’t keep her away from church. She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Deborah Burke; two grandchildren, Nyderah and Brandon Corbett; two great-grandsons, Nathen and Nijel Corbett; seven godchildren, Doris, Calvin, Melvin, Vera, Andrews, Pamela and Reginald; along with ten nieces, Maryanna, Joan, Doris, Shirley, Willow Mae, Florence, Sandra, Yvonne, Linda and Gwen; eight nephews, Rev. Isaac Wilson, III, Dwight, Devereaux, Richard, Donnell, Delmeus, Randolph and Jerome. She had 46 great nieces and nephews; 60 great-great nieces and nephews; 35 great-great-great nieces and nephews; three brothers-in-law, Lewis, Raymond and Robert; four sisters-in-law, Mary Griffin, Florence Burke, Evelyena Burke and Carrie Wilson; four very dear friends, Rev. Mary Walker, Jamie Blakeney, Thelma Johnson and Josephine Phillips ; a host of other in-laws, cousins and friends; a special group of friends called The Over The Hill Gang at Chester River Manor Nursing Home in Chestertown and The Red Hat Society.

Helen Burke

September 16, 1929 - October 16, 2013