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Shelley Burke Obituary
SHELLEY BURKE "Afiya"
(Formerly Shelley Graham), our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at her home in Silver Spring, MD. She is survived by her husband, two children, and three grandchildren. Family will receive friends to celebrate Afiya's joy and love at a visitation on Friday, August 31, 2007 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the RAPP Funeral Home, 933 Gist Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910, and at a memorial service on Saturday, September 1, 2007, 11 a.m. at the People's Congregational United Church of Christ, 4704 13th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011. Guests are asked to wear joyful colors to celebrate Afiya's life and spirit, and guests to the visitation may make a special tribute to Afiya with a single flower or a small personal remembrance. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Prince George's County Head Start Program, Attn: Laura Barbee-Matthews, 8908 Riggs Rd., Room 103, Adelphi, MD 20783 or Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. Please include her name, Shelley Burke, on all contributions.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shelley Burke
Pamela Ogletree
September 21, 2007
To the family,
I am very saddened to learn of Afiya's passing. I extend my deepest sympathy to you.
I first met Afiya many years ago when our children were at Midtown Montessori in D.C. Over the years, I have always admired her boldness, confidence, and passion for serving children. The Benjamin Banneker Charter School in Cambridge, MA stands as an enduring testament to her hardwork and commitment to children. She lived life with purpose and will be sorely missed.
Blanche Loving
September 7, 2007
To the Family,
Our prayers go out to you at this time of your loss of someone so sweet and dear. We are wishing you blessings to be strengthen as you go through this heartbreaking time.
Chavonne & Brenda Chase
September 6, 2007
To the family,
My heart goes out to you at this sad time. "Afiya" was a wonderful, strong person. She will truely be missed.
Prince Georges county Public Schools
Head start Program
Linda McKay
August 31, 2007
To Shelley's Family:
Shelley and I were veteran's of DCPS' early childhood program. We worked side by side in the Shaed Afrocentric Summer School experience in 1991. What energy she had! She had a hardworking, diligent, and committed spirit. may God bless each family memeber. may the Holy Spirit comfort and embrace you during this time.
In Jesus' name.
Lori Robinson
August 31, 2007
To the Family
My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Look to the Lord for your strenght.
PG Public Schools
Glenarden Head Start
Lisa Dunmore
August 31, 2007
My prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lisa Dunmore
PG Public Schools
Glenarden Head Start
Darlene Collier
August 31, 2007
Dear Family,
I am truly sorry for the loss of Afiya, she truly was a great person to know. She was an encourager and a mentor to me and I will always remember her smile. May the Lord Jesus comfort you and keep you all at this time.
Love Darlene Collier
from Head Start
Sandra Kee
August 31, 2007
May the peace of the Lord that surpassess all understanding be with the family at this time. Remember God has destiny for all of us and we are grateful for Afiya's life and what she was able to share with all of those who met her.
Agape!
Verona Iriarte
August 31, 2007
To all the family I wish to express my sympathies for Shelley. The spirit world will accept her with love.
Kathleen Diehl-Taylor
August 31, 2007
Its with an ambivalent thought process that I add to this guest book. A heavy heart, tears, wanting physical presence, weighing a more tangible and personal touch with technology, thinking of the comfort of MANY cards and letters vs the goodness of one "print out" to keep....HAVE to go back to the love and peace and blessings of the circle foremost
Matthew Goldberg
August 31, 2007
Those who know the heart of a teacher, espcially those who have seen the smiles on the faces of youngsters who benefit from the wonderful Headstart programs, can appreciate the precious dedication of love that Afiya gave through her work. May you continue your work in Heavenly realms and may your family be surrounded by the Joy you bring to God's heart eternally.
Cynthia Riley
August 30, 2007
May Jehovah's spirit comfort you all.
Bruce Boyden
August 30, 2007
Frienda,
Shelly and I served in the District of Columbia Public Schools for many years together and also served as Co-leaders for the “Newly Developed” Early Childhood Teacher Collaborative for the District of Columbia Public Schools under the direction of Maurice R. Sykes, where we gained knowledge and skills to move our Agenda forward on the behalf of the children and families we served in Washington, D.C.
I am thankful for the opportunity to have shared many wonderful opportunities with Shelly and more importantly to have grown from the experience of knowing her.
As Ever,
Bruce A. Boyden
Education Manager
[email protected]
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Early Head Start/Head Start/ State Preschool Collaborative
Office Phone #
(310) 605-0164 Ext. 255
Cell Phone #
(310) 261-0751
DENISE Hall-Otis
August 30, 2007
Shelly "Afiya" and I were child hood friends. She always had that beautiful aura about her, you knew when she was in your presence.
You will be missed. Much Love to the family. Denise Hall-Otis
Tapsiru Conteh
August 30, 2007
I worked with Afiya for several years at the PGCPS Head Start. Afiya is solid and of a special character. I love her personality and will always remember her graceful smile.
May her soul rest in perfect peace.
Linda & Dan Masys
August 30, 2007
My husand & I met Shelley years ago at the SRF Meditation Group in DC and will always remember her cheerfulness and big smile every time we saw her. She was a beautiful soul inside and out and we'll all miss her.
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Rapp Funeral & Cremation Services - Silver Spring933 Gist Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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