Bonnie Burke

Whittier, Bonnie May Rawls Burke, 80, passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dade County, Florida, she was a former resident of Miami and had resided in Swain County since 1968. She was the daughter of the late Edward Kerns and Laura Rice Rawls. After graduating from Miami High School, Bonnie received a lab technician certificate and obtained employment with Eastern Airlines. She humorously commented many times, "Pilots can't fly until they pass my test!" Bonnie was an avid reader, and she and her husband, Carl, were very active band parents. Bonnie and Carl were married for 60 years and had known each other since they were five-years-old. Their first date was at a seventh-grade school dance beginning their lives together as it was meant to be. They shared many treasured moments together and especially enjoyed taking cruises. They also enjoyed the fellowship at Cornerstone Wesleyan Church. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Carl Webb Burke; a daughter, Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood and her husband, Ron, of Waynesville; a son, Kenneth Wayne Burke and his wife, Hope Braswell, of Whittier; two grandchildren, Brittany Burke and Logan Braswell; and her loving dog, Shadow. An evening funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2015 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Paul Sale officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until time of service at the funeral home. A private family interment will be held later at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016

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