Obituary of Deacon Ralph Burke

Deacon Ralph Burke was born to the late Jack Ponder and Joetha Burke-Jones on February 22, 1934 in Boston, Georgia. Deacon Burke graduated from Crooms High School in Sanford, Florida. He entered into the United States Air Force and served our country during the Korean Conflict. He moved to Rochester, New York seeking a better life. He was employed by the City of Rochester Environmental Services Department also Eastman Kodak Company as a supervisor, where he retired. Deacon Burke accepted Christ as his Savior and dedicated his life to God working as a member, deacon and Chairman Deacon at Pentecostal Pilgrim Church of God under the leadership of the late Reverend Amos B. Taylor and Reverend Michael O'Meally as his health issues would permit. He loved traveling to Sanford, Florida to visit his mother, relatives and friends. He also enjoyed reading his daily bread (the Bible), watching sports and current events. However, what he valued most was the quality time spent with his grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren. Deacon Burke leaves to cherish his memory his children: Odelle Hayward, Van T. (Madeline) Burke, Gregory (Alisa) Burke, Sr. (Van and Gregory's mother Annie M. Moore), Sallie McFarland, Lorinda (Nathaniel) Scott-Smith, Jesse L. (Ethel) Scott, Ricky (Patricia) Scott, and Joseph (Yolanda) Scott and a special daughter-in-law Francine Scott; Siblings: Donell (Vanessa) Burke, Linda Ponder, Sydney Jones, Sr.and Daisy Ponder; 20 grandchildren, 27 greatgrandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, God children, special God children: Alice Bivins and Harold Milton; nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, Pentecostal Pilgrim Church of God family and friends