Charlotte Bernice Burke

(Charlotte) Bernice Burke, 83, of Radford, VA passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center with loved ones at her bedside. She was born in Flat Gap, VA on August 2, 1942, to the late John Tilden Bolling and Mary (Sturgill) Bolling Haynes. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Burke, sisters Bethel Stewart, Marie Combs, Vergie Sumpter, Winnie Phillips, Viva Sturgill, Gertrude Short, Ruby Sparks, and brothers Wayne Bolling and John (Douglas) Bolling, Sr.. Bernice is survived by two children, Michael (Christina) Burke of Gastonia, North Carolina and Rhonda (Lee) Linville of Whitmore Lake, Michigan. She was the proud grandmother of Sarah Girard, Alex Linville, Brandon Linville, and Joshua Burke. She also leaves behind a sister, Brenda Mangum, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Lois Burke, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bernice was proud to be a 1961 graduate of Pound (VA) High School and worked for Robo's Drive-In for a short time before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan. She worked at Knape and Vogt before starting a job at Kelvinator in 1962, where she became the secretary for the Director of Quality. She married Ronald in 1962, and they moved to Westland, Michigan in 1965. It was there where she began her most important and fulfilling career -- full time housewife and mother to Michael and Rhonda. She stayed busy playing cook, gardener, taxi mom, tutor, painter, landscaper, domestic engineer, and sometimes even carpenter. She poured her energy into raising her children and volunteered at their school often. She was a dedicated mother who instilled Christian virtues of honesty, humility, and kindness into her children. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, biking, bowling, reading, refinishing furniture, and canning vegetables from her garden. She had an exceptionally giving heart and helped those in need and often delivered home-cooked meals to friends and family. She decorated Christmas trees and gifted nearly 100 to those she loved. Bernice and Ron retired to Radford, Virginia in 2002. She enjoyed playing cards, walking, shopping, and reconnecting with relatives and friends on Facebook. She adored her grandchildren and loved visits from family. She was a cancer survivor and thanked God for blessing her with a lengthy retirement. She lived the last 3 years with Alzheimer's, and the family wishes to thank her caregivers, Amy Rhodes and Ginny Brookman, for providing unwavering support and love. Farewell services will be at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, VA. Visitation will be Thursday (January 15) 5-7 p.m. and Friday (January 16) 1-2 p.m. The funeral will be Friday (January 16) at 2 p.m. with burial immediately following at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bernice's memory to Belview Helping Hands Pantry or Samaritan's Purse.

Charlotte Bernice Burke

August 2, 1942 - January 8, 2026