Joe Wesley Burke

Joe Wesley Burke, age 86, of Pittsboro passed away at Cambridge Hills Assisted Living on Thursday, August 11, 2022.   He was born on July 4, 1936, in Bonlee, NC to the late Jasper Foushee Burke and Mary Moore Burke.

Joe graduated from Siler City High School in 1954, immediately joined the U.S Army and was stationed for two years in Germany.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education from East Carolina University and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science and Public-School Administration from UNC- Chapel Hill.

During his thirty-year career with Chatham County schools, Joe taught at Pittsboro Middle and High School, Northwood High School and served as the principal of Northwood and Pittsboro Primary.  After retiring, he became the first headmaster of Chatham Academy and later served as interim principal at North Chatham Elementary.  He also conducted lectures on World War II and Chatham County history at Carolina Meadows and Fearrington Village.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann Baldwin Burke, daughters JoAnn Norwood (Bob) and Frankie Glosson (Robert), grandchildren Kristen Oakes (Stephen) and Ryan Thompson (Brooke) and great grandchildren Grady Oakes, Charlie Jo Oakes, and Sam Thompson.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charlie Bright (Lillian), Calvin Burke (Mary) and W.F. Burke (Jane), and sisters Annie Alley (Lionel), Hilda Ferguson (Gene) and Sarah Scott (Lester).

Joe was a devout Christian who lived his faith by example, a passionate gardener who graciously shared his harvest, a voracious reader and lifelong student of history, an avid Duke Blue Devil fan and a doting father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was known for his storytelling, engaging lessons and loyalty to his students and colleagues. Joe was a faithful member of Pittsboro United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, led Bible Studies, and served on several different committees over the years. 

A private burial will be held at Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery. A Celebration of Joe’s life will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 2PM at Pittsboro United Methodist Church Family Life Center with Rev. Lucas Nelson and Rev. Ben Alexander presiding. The family will receive friends immediately following the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made in Joe’s memory to Pittsboro United Methodist Church Family Life Center P.O. Box 716 Pittsboro, NC 27312.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff members of Cambridge Hills and Community Hospice for their loving care and support.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Burke family.