Anita Burke

Anita Burns Davis Burke passed away peacefully June 27, 2020, at the age of 92. Anita, affectionately known as Nini, was born July 1, 1927, in Drew, Mississippi, to Samuel Lovell and Cora Lee Walton Burns. She graduated from the Drew Public School System. She continued her education at The University of Mississippi and graduated from Delta State Teacher's College with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1947. She taught school in Rosedale, Boyle, and Ruleville. After retirement from teaching, she was the Secretary-Treasurer for the family business, The Sunflower Wholesale Grocery Company, in Drew, Mississippi, for 27 years. She and her first husband, John T. Davis, established the popular Mecca Drive Inn in Ruleville, Mississippi. She was a sports enthusiast. She enjoyed watching all sports, and also enjoyed playing competitive tennis with her friends in her younger years. She was a member of the Methodist Church, an alumna member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and past member of Benoit Outing Club. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for The Bank of Bolivar County in Shelby, Mississippi. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, sister Udine Burns Williford, brothers, Samuel Lovell Burns and Robert Walton Burns, husband John Thomas (Sonny) Davis, Jr., husband Charles William (Billy) Burke, and step-children Hiram Lee Burke and Melody Burke. Anita leaves step-daughter-in-law Carolyn Pongetti Burke, step-granddaughter Rikki Burke Rickels (Glen), and many nieces and nephews, especially Beverly Burns Livingston (Ronnie), Bob and Belinda Williford, and Robert Burns Livingston (Heather), all of Cleveland, who helped care for her and checked on her regularly. The family would like to thank the staff and sitters at Indywood Estate, as well as the staff at Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility for the excellent compassionate care provided. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation or memorial service. If you wish to remember her, please send your memorial to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.