Russell Burke

B. Russell "Rusty" Burke, Jr., 73, of Bainbridge, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2009 in Bainbridge after a lengthy illness. Rusty was a long time resident of Brandon, Mississippi until he moved to Bainbridge, GA, following his retirement in 2002. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2009 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel in Bainbridge, GA, with Dr. Gerald A. Little officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . While a resident of Brandon, Rusty served as Vice-President of the Real Estate Office for Sunburst Bank in Jackson and Vice-President of the Bailey Mortgage Companies' Construction Loan Department. Rusty's affiliations included the Mortgage Lenders' Association of Mississippi; the Mississippi Association of Credit Executives; the Homebuilders' Associations of Jackson and Mississippi; and the Jackson and Mississippi Associations of Realtors. Rusty was born May 27, 1936 in Atlanta, GA, the son of Dr. Benjamin Russell Burke and Mary Frances Preacher Burke. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is preceded in death by a son, Robert R. "Bobby" Burke. Rusty is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Davis Burke of Bainbridge, GA; three sons, Rusty Burke, III of Lena, MS, Davis Burke and his wife Lisa of Nolensville, TN, and Lee Burke and his wife Sandi of Brandon, MS; his sister, Mary Frances Hood of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren: Zachary Burke and Lane Burke of Nolensville, TN, and Tori Burke of Brandon, MS; two nieces, Sister Hood of Atlanta, GA, and Mary Wall Hood of Peachtree City, GA; a nephew, Dr. Dozier Hood of Peachtree City, GA; and three great-nephews: Russell Hood, Charles Hood, and Wright Hood. Memorials may be made to Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, P.O. Box 429, Bainbridge, GA 39818.