Betty Ward Burke, beloved daughter of the late Johnnie Lee Mingo and Sallie Mae Ward, was born March 7, 1942, in Albany, Georgia. She was raised in a strong Christian home under the guiding hand of her grandmother, the late Sallie Mae Ward, whom she dearly loved.

She was educated in the Dougherty County School System, graduating from Monroe High School in 1970. Throughout her school years, she was a vibrant, inquisitive student who was a ray of sunshine to peers, teachers, and close friends.

At a very early age, Betty accepted Christ as her Savior and united with Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. She was a faithful member whose dedication and commitment to the choir and usher ministry was unmatched. Her love for Christ and her church family was manifested in her daily walk, deeds, and actions.

Betty was a conscientious, persistent individual whose professional career was marked by hard work and unquestionable integrity. She was employed as a factory worker at Coats and Clark for 10 years and worked untiringly to ensure that no task was ever left
undone. Betty was also a dedicated school bus driver who was relentless in guiding and encouraging students for numerous years. In 1995, she sought advancement opportunities with Federal Express as a Courier and worked diligently to continually pursue excellence until her retirement in 2017.

After an astounding romance and courtship, Betty and Kenneth Burke were joined in holy matrimony on March 16, 1995. They shared a love that knew no boundaries and was unshakeable. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great
grandmother who supported her family in all of their endeavors and created many lasting memories. Family was paramount in her life.
Known to have a nurturing and caring spirit, Betty was a strong but gentle lady with a heart of gold. She was a trusted friend and confidant, accepted everyone for who they were, and openly welcomed family and friends into her heart and home. Betty had a deep passion for cooking, gardening, helping others, watching sports, exercising, and spending quality time with loved ones—especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren who held the "key to her heart."

On April 15, 2021, Betty transitioned to eternal rest and peace with the Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, Johnny Mingo and David Mingo. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Cherished memories will forever remain with her beloved husband, Kenneth Burke; her devoted children, NaKesha Williams of Albany, GA and Jamoski (Kelli) Ward of Gray, GA; three daughters by marriage, Kimberly Burke (Aries Calaman) of Holly Springs, NC, Kadedra (Johnny) Gordon of Waldorf, MD, and Kenya (Michael) Gould of Atlanta, GA; siblings, Verdell (Clarence) Anglin, Janice (Alphonzo) Green, Anthony (Ruth) Miller, Sheila Parks, and Darryl Mingo; grandchildren, Decorian Ward, MarKesia Johnson, FreKeliah Stamper, Jamison Ward, Kelton Burke, Delmar Barber II, Jaliya Barber, and Logan Wesbey; great-grandchildren, Decorian Ward, Jr. and Giovanni Ward; brother-in-law, Ronald (Wylean) Burke; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends.