Obituary of Samuel Burkett

MARION, VIRGINIA: SAMUEL S. BURKETT was born on July 4th, 1929 and departed this life on January 28, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ella Mae Burkett and his two brothers, Neal and O.J. He is survived by Helen, his loving wife of 63 years and two sons, Wayne and Suzanne Burkett of League City, TX and Wesley and Shelia Burkett of Gray, TN; three grandchildren, Katie, Chelsea and Brandon; and a devoted sister, Katherine Lambert. He also is survived by his Mother-in-Law, Vivian Wampler, his Brother-in-Law, Don and Brenda Wampler, two Sisters-in-Law, Ethel Burkett and Linda Burkett and many nieces, nephews and friends. Sam served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953 in Hawaii and Heidelberg, Germany. He was in the banking business for 47 years culminating as Branch Manager of the Wells Fargo Marion branch. He served on the Marion Town Council for 32 years, was vice Mayor for 16 years, and served on the Mount Rogers Planning Commission for 16 years. Additionally, he served and held many positions with Project Crossroads, The Settlers Museum, The Smyth County Hospital Foundation Board and was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Marion Rotary Club. Sam was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion and served in many leadership capacities in the church. Sam loved his family, his church, Marion and Smyth County and his friends. He loved to travel, play golf and being around other people. Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion with Reverend Jonathan Jonas officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Marion VFW Post #4667. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion. Flowers will be accepted or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Marion 115 South Church Street, Marion VA 24354 or to the Salvation Army, Marion / Smyth County Virginia P.O. Box 133, Marion VA 24354. The family would like to thank the staff at Francis Marion Manor and Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their loving care as well as the many friends and family that have visited and supported him over the past years. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Burkett Family.