Celia W. Burke

Celia was born in Mathews, Alabama on May 16, 1942 to the parents of John Henry & Ruby Mae Woolfolk. She is the 4th born of her parents twelve children. She grew up in a devoted Christian home and confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She attended Panther Creek Missionary Baptist Church throughout her childhood.

Celia attended Mathews Elementary School in Mathews, Alabama and later attended George Washington High School in Mt. Meigs, Alabama where she played clarinet in the band. She graduated from high school in 1960. After which, she entered Alabama State University, majored in Science and Mathematics Education, played in the college band, and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelors' Degree in Secondary Education. During her tenure at Alabama State University she met and later, in 1965, married Garfield Burke, Jr. To this union three sons and two daughters were born.

Celia retired from the Mobile County Public School System after approximately twenty-seven years of teaching. She also taught one year in Troy, Alabama and three years at McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama.

Prior to attending St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Celia attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She sang in the choir, served on the Parish Council and served as a Lector. In 1963, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was an avid fan several sports, especially basketball and football.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. John Henry Woolfolk and Mrs. Ruby Mae Carr Woolfolk. She is also preceded in death by three siblings, Mrs. Mary Woolfolk Washington, Mr. Jasper Woolfolk, and Mr. David Woolfolk.

She leaves to cherish memory, a devoted husband of 54 years, Garfield Burke, Jr.; two daughters, Kelly Bridgette Burke and Cecelia Marie Burke; one stepdaughter, Valarie L. Dandridge; three sons, Andre’ D. (Monica) Burke, Jarvis J. (Celena) Burke and John G. Burke; eight siblings, John Henry (Pearl) Woolfolk, Jr., Los Angeles, CA; James Woolfolk, Montgomery, AL; Tommy (Camille) Woolfolk, Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA; Barbara Stinson, Mobile, AL; Lassie (Mea) Woolfolk, Montgomery, AL; Van B. (Betty) Woolfolk, Montgomery Al; Larry (Jackie) Woolfolk, Mobile, AL; Abdul (Alice) Seraai, Montgomery, AL. She also leaves two devoted friends: Ms. Penelope “Penny” Gulley and Mr. Wilborn B. Jones.