Rev. Paul Carl Burke, 88, died Monday, January 20, 2019, after a battle with cancer. On April 24, 1930, he was born in Sycamore, Illinois to Garrett Joseph Burke and Anna Wald Burke. After graduating from Sycamore High School, and working two years in the local drugstore, he entered the United States Air Force where he served four years, including one year in Kimpo, Korea. On return from Korea he married Hilda Lataine Hollis from Pascagoula, Mississippi. A few years after his military service he received a call to preach and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, and Garrett Theological Seminary. He served churches in Indiana and Mississippi until he retired in 1993, although still served in several different areas until he and Lataine moved to Traceway Retirement Center in 2016.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Lataine Hollis Burke; three children, David Burke (Laurie) of Keller, Texas; Paula Burke Hailey (Andy) of Oxford, Mississippi; Richard Burke (Kathy) of Lafayette, Tennessee; ten grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, ten siblings and one granddaughter, Casey Burke.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Fred Britton officiating. Graveside services will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 607 Main Street C, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801 or charity of choice in lieu of flowers.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
