Lexie Burke

Lexie Burke

Lexie Watkins Burke, 94, died Monday, March 30, 2009, at Saxony Lutheran Village.

She was born Dec. 20, 1914, in Greenbrier, Mo., daughter of the late Lorenzo Dow and Flora Serilda Brendel Helms.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was a bookkeeper 37 years at Vanduser Cotton Gin, retiring in 1987.

She married Sterling Peal Watkins on Jan. 9, 1932. He preceded her in death Feb. 3, 1964. She and John Collins Burke were married Sept. 17, 1965. He preceded her in death Dec. 25, 1969.

A brother, Herschel Helms, and two sisters, Pearl Pollock and Dixie Ray, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include a son, Louis Watkins of Sikeston, Mo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Jerry Ford of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Ron Spell, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, will officiate and the Rev. Darin Watkins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Diehlstadt, Mo., will assist. Interment will follow in Watkins Cemetery at Morley, Mo.

Pallbearers will be James Cain, Josh McClendon, Ethan Watkins, Dennis "Doc" Cain, Nathan Mays and David Watkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Watkins, Tom Ray, Jimmie Pollock, Charlie McGill and Glen McGill.

Memorial donations may be sent to Wesley United Methodist Church, 600 Pine St., Sikeston, Mo., 63801.