Emma Jean Calicutt Burke, 86, of Bear Creek entered her heavenly home on July 8, 2026, at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC in Pittsboro. Mrs. Burke was born in Chatham County on July 5, 1940, to Causy Lee Calicutt and Linnie Bright Calicutt Crutchfield. She attended Bonlee High School and graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1958. After graduation, she began working and then on November 19, 1960, she married the love of her life, Harold Thurman Burke. They spent almost 60 years side by side before Thurman entered his heavenly home on May 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by Vernon Lou Carter, Beulah Lee Gwynn, James Walter Callicutt, Lester Eugene Callicutt, and Mary Louise Fields.

Throughout Thurman and Emma Jean's entire life, they were both faithful and humble members of Sandy Branch Baptist Church where Emma Jean served as the church clerk, taught Vacation Bible School and was the Children’s Church leader. For many years, she made sure the church sanctuary was adorned with beautiful flowers on Sunday mornings…oftentimes, you could find one of her heartfelt written poems honoring and remembering those she loved. Once you entered the doors of the church, you immediately became family to Emma Jean. She welcomed everyone with open arms, especially the children as they ran to her every week to get their bag of candy. Her love for the Lord and her church family will long be missed as she instilled in so many people how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

For over 50 years, Emma Jean was the face of Chatham Hospital as she was the Emergency Room Clerk. She faithfully worked there until her grandchildren were born and then she came home to be Granny, Big Nana and Fuzzy. She always made sure they were loved, rocked, read, and sung too. Buying books for them was one of the many ways they were spoiled…between Pa’s “Pepsi Money” and Granny’s prayers, Shelton, Chance and Emma were very blessed. For the past 8 months, she shared all those same blessings with Hunter who brought her great joy! She enjoyed shopping, getting her hair done every Thursday, pedicures, buying bracelets and lunch with friends. She is survived by her son Stephen Douglas Burke and wife Lynda of Bear Creek, Joseph Harold Burke and Fiancé Tiffany Roberts of Bear Creek. Grandchildren, Shelton Burke and wife Mackenzie of Bear Creek, Chance Burke of Mooresville, NC, and Emma Burke of Siler City, NC. Her great-grandson Hunter Thurman Burke of Bear Creek, NC. Also surviving is her brother Frank Crutchfield of Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. Burke had several nieces and nephews whom she loved and enjoyed spending time with.

The family will welcome friends and family at the home of Doug and Lynda Burke, 537 Willis Dunn Road, Bear Creek.

A visitation will be held Sunday, July 12th, 2026, at Sandy Branch Baptist Church from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13th at 11 am, at Sandy Branch Baptist Church. Services will be officiated by Reverend Jimmy Brown, Reverend Marc Sanders, and Reverend Bob Wachs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sandy Branch Baptist Church or SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC in Pittsboro.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Burke family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com