Virginia Alice Cox Burke of Charleston Missouri, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on July 17, 2017, at the age of 86.

She was born on December 5, 1930 in Diehlstadt, MO to Katherine Olive Maynard and Joseph Louis Cox. She graduated from Diehlstadt High School in in 1948 before moving to Charleston. In Charleston she worked at Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator until marrying John Emmett Burke on November 23, 1950.

Her faith in God served as her guide throughout her life, and she was a member of the Charleston United Methodist Church for more than 50 years.

Alice's five children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild were the focus and joy of her life. It should not go without saying that her love of antiques and flower gardening were also an enjoyable part of her life.

Her surviving children are Katherine (Frank) Burke Schoenleben of Munich, Germany, Ann Maureen Burke Morgan of Denver, CO, Stephen Thomas (Carol Jane) Burke of Charleston, MO and Timothy Alan (Michelle) Burke of Chesterfield, MO. Surviving grandchildren are Katherine Virginia Ann Burke of Dallas, Texas, Lindsay Emma Burke of Charleston, MO, Madeline Jane Burke of Tacoma, WA, Caroline Conn Burke of Charlotte, North Carolina, Madison Shari (Kyle) Burke Loethen and Landon John Burke of Columbia, MO, and Carson Ferrell Burke of Chesterfield MO. Mollie Jane Delay, her only great-grandchild resides in Charleston. She is also survived by her brother Donald Cox of Panama City, FL

Proceeding her in death are are her parents Katherine Olive Maynard and Joseph Louis Cox of Diehlstadt, MO, her husband of 66 years, John Emmett Burke of Charleston, MO, and son John Emmett Burke, Jr. of Charleston, MO. Also, brothers Joe Cox of Diehlstadt, MO, Weldon Earl Cox of Doniphan, MO, Russell Cox of Diehlstadt and her only sister Maureen Cox Sutherland of Charleston, MO.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Charleston, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m. Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Landon Burke, Carson Burke, Dicky Hanor, Richard Kelley, Ted Slaten, and Boyd French.

Memorial contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834 or to the Shining Light Mission, 721 W. Marshall Street, Charleston, MO 63834.

Alice's quiet but determined grace will be missed by all.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I am not so much seek to be consoled but to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Saint Francis of Assisi