Marthann Coleman Burke
December 6, 1932 ~ July 4, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Asheville - Marthann (M.A.) Coleman Burke, born December 6, 1932, passed away July 4, 2009.
M.A. was a graduate of St. Genevieve of the Pines School for Girls, Class of 1950. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Queens College, Charlotte, Class of 1954. She taught composition and literature at Lee Edwards High School, and she was the debate coach of several award-winning teams throughout the 1960's. M.A. also taught high school composition and literature in the Knox County, Tennessee school system from 1970 through 1991. She loved traveling extensively with her husband and organizing tour groups.
She is survived by her husband, Michael; children Catherine (Kit) Burke Rains and her husband Cal, Asheville; Marshall Burke Barton and her husband Tom, Duluth, Georgia; and John David Burke and his wife Katie, Montgomery, Alabama; ten grandchildren, Caroline and Coleman Rains; John Charles IV, Christopher, and Catherine Dukes; Haley and Katherine Barton; and Chelsea, Lora and Jacob Burke; and two great grandchildren, Emma Grace Dukes and John Charles Dukes V.
She enjoyed lifelong friendships with Reid Chapman, Lelia Wilson, Jean Webb, Jean Haynes, Mary Ida Sprague, Helen Moore, and Joan Bennett.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden. Immediately following the Funeral Mass a reception will be at the home of Kit Rains, 149 Windover Drive, Asheville, 28803. Inurnment will be at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Lewis Memorial Park, Beaverdam Road, Asheville, 28804.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Elizabeth House Hospice, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Dear Kit, Marshall and David,
Please know that you and your families are in our hearts and prayers. Your mom was always a beautiful person inside and out, and I know that she will be profoundly missed by all of you and by those whose hearts and minds she touched. Much love,
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May God bless you.
Although I never met your mother, it is clear that she was a very generous and caring person who was loved and respected by many. My heart goes out to all of you.
Marshall: all our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your Mother was a wonderful and remarkable person and she was so blessed to have raised so many beautiful children – as a Mother, I know how proud she is of you all!
The IP department
Mrs. Burke was my homeroom teacher my Junior and Senoir year. She was always quite entertaining first thing in the morning for a sleepy 17 year old. She was ‘ma’ Burke to the kids at Karns High School. Certainly a memorable figure during my high school years and a teacher I will always remember.
Karns High School Class of 1986
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
Hold tight to memories for comfort,
lean on your friends for strength,
and always remember how much you are cared about.
There is light beyond the darkness and peace beyond the sorrow. Memories will keep your mother close to you in spirit and always in your heart.
With deep sypmathy,
Sheryl
May you and your family find peace during this difficult time.
I was Mrs. Burke’s teacher’s aide throughout my four years at Karns High School 1973-1977. She was so very kind to me and I was so fond of her. I still have gifts that she gave me during that time. I have thought of her many times throughout the years and was happy to read that she traveled and had a good life. Although I haven’t seen her for years, I miss her today. I won’t forget her.
Marshall,
I am so sorry for your loss. No one understands more than myself what it’s like to not have your best friend, mom in your life. I wish you and your family much comfort and peace during this time.
We are very sorry for your loss, but know that she is in a better place now.
I am writing from Florida. Today as I looked for my Aunt’s obituary I noticed this one. Marthann was a neighbor on Albemarle Rd. in Asheville. She was in high school when I was a little girl in grammar school at St. Genevieve’s. (I called her mother ‘Lady May’.) It has been many years and I lost contact. I always admired how lovely and smart she was and looked up to her. I was glad to read about her life, her many contributions and achievements; a life well lived. It brought back a flood of memories. My deepest sympathy to the family.
David & Katie,
May God bless and guide you through this very difficult time.
Love, Harry & Nan
Mrs. Burke was truly a unique teacher who always made class interesting. She helped this math and science geek actually take an interest in English classes. I will never forget her frustration with me for not using notes for my speech at graduation. She thought I would screw it up…and she was right.
I wish to extend my condolences for her loss.
Scott Faulkner
Karns High School 1980-1984
We were privileged to have met M.A. and are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
To the Burke family,
It was really great reading all the wonderful comments about Ms. Burke. She was such a patient, funny (I can STILL hear her hearty laugh!), kind person and yet had a way to find a way to teach us valuable life lessons as well as academics. I was lucky enough to have her in two separate classes during my years at Karns High (1980 – 1984) and she was truly one of the best and will be missed.
Marshall:
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. Please know my heart and prayers are with you and your family. May God’s love and your faith be ever present in your time of need.
Love,
Madeline
My deepest sympathies and prayers are with your family.
I saw the picture before I read the obit in the Knoxville News Sentinel and automatically went back to the ’70’s at Karns High School. Your mother was my homeroom teacher and English Composition/Debate class teacher. I was also her teacher’s aid for a couple of years between 1973-1976. She was a great delight to be around and she will be truly missed. Your family will be in my prayers.
May your many memories give you peace during this difficult time.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers
Marshall,
We have you and your family in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. Please let us know if we can do ANYTHING here in Atlanta.
Love,
Sharon
David & Katie – Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish peace for you and strength as you deal with this loss and other family issues. I love you both. Please know that my shoulders are ready to be leaned on and my ears are ready to listen should you need to talk.
Hugs, love and prayers,
Mary
Marshall,
My thoughts and prayers that God will give you and your family strength during this most heartbreaking time. May you always remember the wonderful moments shared with your mom. Peace be with you today, tomorrow, and in the coming months.
Love,
Deloyce
David, Katie, & Kids,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time. May the memories give you peace and comfort. Remember I am here for you and love you. Love, Dawn
Marshall,
Thinking of you and praying that peace will prevail during this sad time. Sending tons of love your way.
Deloyce
To the wonderful Ms. Burke,
I never met you, but I know your daughter Marshall well, and your beautiful and loving soul lives on in her – and in all of your family.
I wish you a peaceful rest. You can know that everyone that loves you will always be with you.
Respectfully and with regards,
Lorie Blount
Mike and children, I just learned of your loss this morning and want you to know I am thinking of you. I will always fondly remember my trip to Europe with M.A; she was a wonderful person.