Lorenza Burke Sr., of Pell City, AL, formerly of the Shoals area passed away August 10, 2024.
Service for Mr. Burke will be as follows, Thursday, August 15th, 2024, 11:00 am Visitation/Viewing, Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 150 White Street, Montevallo, AL 12:30 pm Service. Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL.
Lorenza Burke was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He enlisted in the army before turning 18, serving in Germany and Vietnam. After his military service, Burke pursued various careers, including working as a mortician, private investigator, and backup drummer for The Drifters. He attended classes at Washtenaw Community College, where he met his wife, Oppia, who was employed there. He worked as a certified heavy duty equipment transmission mechanic at GM Hydra-Matic Plant, Ypsilanti, Michigan before transferring to GM Saginaw Steering Plant in Alabama and contributed to major projects including the Tombigbee Waterway before a workplace injury ended his career. In his leisure time, Burke enjoyed fishing, playing the guitar, and instilling the love of music in his children. He spent his final years at the Colonel Robert L. Howard Veterans Home in Pell City, taking pride in being part of the community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hayward and Vivian Johnson, brothers, Hayward, Jerome and Larry Johnson, a daughter, Ann Burke.
Left to cherish his memories are sons, Lorenzo Burke Jr and Marcus Burke, Tuscumbia, Alabama; daughter, Crystal (Shane) Lovelady, Vestavia, AL; grandsons, Malachi, Blake, Joshua, and Damarea (Annmarie) Burke, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
