Verna Melissa Burke was born July 30, 1913 in Oklahoma to Lloyd and Florence (Still) White. Verna moved to California and raised 5 children all by herself. The family lived in Huntington Park for almost 30 years. Verna married Roy Burke in 1953 and they moved to Wasco to be near family 7 years ago. Verna worked for Duetch Industries for many years on the assembly line as a machinist. After her retirement from Duetch she began working as an in-home caregiver. She would help the elderly with meals, cleaning, bill paying, grocery shopping and doctors visits. She became very close to her clients, continuing to visit them at nursing homes after they left her care. Verna loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, going camping and enjoying the great outdoors and nature. She also enjoyed painting ceramic dolls as a hobby. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Roy Burke of Shafter; sons, Marion Tankersley and wife Mary Nell of Texas; Ronald Tankersley and wife, Kathy of Florida, Jack Tankersley and wife Jane of San Jose and Steven Burke and wife Diane of San Diego; daughters, Phyllis Wilkinson and Jo Anderson, both of Wasco; brother, Amos White and wife Laura of Oklahoma; and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and 6 brothers and sisters. A memorial service will be held at Peters Funeral Home, Wasco, on Sunday, January 6 at 2pm for Verna Melissa Burke, age 94, who passed away January 2, 2008.