Mary Evelyn (Willoughby) Burkeen

Mrs. Mary Evelyn (Willoughby) Burkeen, age 89, of Murray, Kentucky passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the AHC Nursing Care in Paris, Tennessee.

            Mrs. Burkeen was born on October 7, 1934, in Calloway County, Kentucky to the late Ervie Grant Willoughby and Mary Frances (Wallace) Willoughby. She worked at the Hosiery Mill, as a cook at Faxon Elementary School and before retiring worked at the Murray State University Teachers Center. Mrs. Burkeen was a member of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church and the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Adult Sunday School Class. 

            In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Burkeen; as well as one brother, Wallace Willoughby. 

            Survivors include her daughter, Karen M. Kelso and husband Jimmy Dan of Murray, Kentucky; son, Kenneth E. Burkeen and wife Carol of Murray, Kentucky; sister, Diana Cothran and husband Roy of Murray, Kentucky; sister-in-law, Ruth Willoughby of Warrior, Alabama; six grandchildren, Erica Wilson and husband Jason, Jay Kelso, Shane Burkeen, Kassa McCallum and husband Derek, Kara Boykin and husband Brad, and Grant Kelso; ten great-grandchildren, Abby Wilson, Kaitlyn Wilson, Macie Kelso, Kallie Kelso, Haddie Kelso, Zaylie Kelso, Luke McCallum, Matthew McCallum, Jake Boykin, and Heath Boykin; two nephews, Chris Willoughby and wife Sarah and Tony Willoughby and wife Suzanne; as well as one niece, Kim Hill and husband Allen. 

            A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 22, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Bro. Philip Bazzell and Bro. Derek McCallum officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. 

            Expressions of sympathy can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959 and to the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1888 Faxon Road, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

            Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com