Lewis Howard Burke

Published 1:19 pm Friday, May 23, 2025

Lewis Howard Burke was born October 15, 1944, to the late Christopher Burke and the late Emma Clarke in Montgomery, Alabama. Lewis was a graduate of Alabama State University and received a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi College and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. While attending Alabama State University, he met the love of his life, the late Glenda Joyce Jones. They were married for almost 40 years until Glenda’s death on February 27, 2007. He began his legal career in 1979 as a staff attorney for Central Mississippi Legal Services and became supervisor for the agency’s offices in Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi before moving to federal service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lewis served on the city court bench as the municipal court pro tempore for multiple city administrations. He retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Deputy ERDC counsel and Vicksburg Municipal Court. Lewis and his entire family were devoted members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

In addition to fulfilling his role as a loving father and husband to his family, Lewis was an active and dedicated member of his community. He was a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Vicksburg-Warren Bar Association, the Men’s Club at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation, and The Magnolia Bar Association serving as its president in 1990.

Lewis was the proud father of Dr. Lewis Burke Jr., who cared for him and was at his side until his death Monday, May 12. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, one brother, and two sisters and a daughter. Lewis leaves behind to mourn his passing son, Lewis H. Burke Jr. (Kay) of Atlanta; a sister, Joyce Pettiway (Gazelle) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.; brother, Joe Burke (Sarah) of Camden, Alabama.; grandchildren, Evan Burke of Bowling Green, Kentucky and Kyle Burke (Monica) of Bowling Green; sister-in-law, Debra Harris of Clinton, Mississippi; brothers-in-law, Stan Alston (Nichole) of Jacksonville, Florida and Gazell Pettway Jr. of Eden Prairie; brothers and sisters include Christopher Burke (deceased), Lorene Lockhart (deceased), and Arnitta Freeman (deceased). Lewis also touched the lives of his many nieces, nephews, godchildren and other family members. To the many friends who were also a part of Lewis’s life during his 80 years on this earth, we thank you for being a blessing to our father, brother, and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1512 Main St., Vicksburg, MS. Funeral services are to be held Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vicksburg. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, May 30, from 4 until 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home with the Rosary to be held at 6 p.m.