Norma Lee Burgess Burke

Norma Lee Burgess Burke, age 92 of Bear Creek, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Chatham Hospital.

Norma was born on August 23, 1933 in Randolph County, NC to Mitchell and Lessie Stout Burgess. Norma was a graduate of Ramseur School and worked at Kaiser Roth for 21 years. Norma loved being at home, taking care of her garden and flowers. She enjoyed doing word searches, sweeping leaves, and getting the mail. Norma was a long-time member at Sandy Branch Baptist Church where she led and directed many Christmas programs, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and spent many years leading the youth. Norma loved to cook for her family and was known for her biscuits, turnip greens, sweet potato casserole, dressing, and her famous German chocolate cake as well as many other delicious desserts. In addition to her parents, Norma is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Stout Burke; brothers, Paul, Boyd, and Buck Burgess; and her sisters, Maxine Ward, Geraldine York, and Doris Burgess.

Norma is survived by her children, William Michael Burke (Sharon) of Garner and Melinda Burke Overton (Jeff) of Apex; grandchildren, Kala Brown (Steven), Kristen Herring, Tiffany Hales (Zac), and Kyle Overton; great grandchildren, Levi, Kallie, Jaxson, Stout, and Adleigh.

Norma will lie in repose on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 12:00pm – 12:50pm at Sandy Branch Baptist Church, 715 Sandy Branch Church Rd., Bear Creek. The funeral service will follow at 1:00pm with Dr. Rob Roberts and Pastor Jimmy Brown officiating. Burial will take place at the conclusion of the service in the church cemetery, and the family will receive guests in the church fellowship hall afterwards.

Memorials may be made in Norma’s honor to Sandy Branch Baptist Church, 715 Sandy Branch Church Rd., Bear Creek, NC 27207.