Elizabeth (Betty) Dana May Burke, 92, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away peacefully December 12, 2020, at Grace Residential Care Home in The Woodlands, TX.

She was born on September 8, 1928, in Pikeville, Kentucky, to Charles Dana May and Lida Jane Deskins May. Betty Dana graduated from Pikeville High School then attended Pikeville College.  She married the love of her life, Raymond Arthur Burke, in 1947.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 70 years, Raymond Arthur Burke, and her two sisters Myrtle May Ratliff and TomE May Huffman.

Betty was a beloved mother of two children, Dana Rai Burke Jeans of The Woodlands, TX, and Jeffrey Allen Burke (Nancy) of Pikeville, KY.  Betty, affectionately known as "Mimi" will also be greatly missed by her four grandchildren whom she doted on and loved dearly; Dana Carol Burke Meeks of Lexington, KY, Jennifer Rai Jeans (Alan Vance) of Reno, NV, Katherine Elizabeth Burke of Lexington, KY, and Sean Michael Jeans of The Woodlands, TX.  She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Lillian Dana Meeks and Luke James Meeks of Lexington, KY, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Betty Dana was a positive person of great faith who worked diligently in the Pikeville United Methodist Church and the First Methodist Church of Ft. Myers, FL. She is remembered by many of her Sunday School students in Pikeville as "Aunt Betty". She was Secretary to the Superintendent of the Pike County Schools before retiring to Ft. Myers, FL, where she enjoyed gardening, golf, bridge, her annual KY Derby party, family visits, driveway and pool block parties, picnics and sunsets on the beach.  She and her husband, Ray, also loved music and dancing, usually being the first ones on the dance floor. They never met a stranger without genuinely taking an interest in them and engaging in conversation, remaining lifelong friends with many of them.  They traveled extensively in Europe before settling down to spend cherished summers at Jay Peak, VT. She always loved playing games and even enjoyed playing bingo and dominoes until her last week of life. Betty Dana took great pleasure in doing needlepoint, and her many pieces are cherished and admired by family members and friends.

Betty lived a full and meaningful life. Her sweet, easy going smile together with the sometimes mischievous twinkle in her eye will be greatly missed by those who loved her.  A Memorial Service will be held at The Pikeville United Methodist Church in Pikeville, KY, for all family and friends in 2021. Donations may be made to Pikeville United Methodist Church.

The family would especially like to thank Lydia and staff at Grace Residential Care Home in The Woodlands, TX, for their loving care the past three years, and nieces, Ardith Davis and Dorothea Doty for their continued love, support, and friendship over the many years.