The Rev. David R. Burkette
The Rev. David R. Burkette, 95, died on January 8, 2022 in Johnson City, Tenn.
He was born in Ashe County near Jefferson, N.C. on June 28, 1926, the older son of the Rev. George Carroll and Maxie Ennice Burkett. David attended Draughn’s Business College in Winston-Salem and Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., and was a 1957 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem.
Following work in the business world as a sales representative for the George A. Hormel Company, he felt called into ordained ministry, enrolled in theological seminary in 1954, and following graduation, was ordained into the ministry of the Moravian Church in June, 1957.
He served Moravian congregations as pastor at Clemmons, Bethania, Fries Memorial, founding pastor of Rolling Hills Moravian Church in Longwood, Florida, and Calvary Moravian in Winston-Salem. In 1978, he was called to be Director of Evangelism and Home Missions for the Moravian Church, Southern Province, from which position he retired in 1991. Following retirement he served interim pastorates at several Moravian congregations before relocating to his family home place in Ashe County. While living in Ashe County he and his late wife, Dorothy, were active in the Mountain Laurel Moravian Fellowship, Laurel Springs, N.C.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and his younger brother, Edgar. He is survived by two sons: the Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Wayne Burkette (Nancy) of Pfafftown, N.C. and Dr. Gary D. Burkette (Melissa) of Johnson City; six grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. A family graveside service was held Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Salem God’s Acre, followed by a public memorial service at 11:00 am at Calvary Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.
