Mary Ella Burke of Wildersville, Tennessee, passed away Friday, June 4, 2021, at the age of 82. She is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest F. Burke, her mother Beaulah Johnson and father Ray Johnson. She is survived by her son, Michael Wilson Burke of Parsons and her daughter Jennifer Burke Anderson (Paul) of Memphis and her granddaughter Ella Anderson of Nashville.

Mary Ella attended Belmont College and loved every minute of it. While there she met the man of her dreams, Earnest Burke. They shared a love of horses and were in the “horse business” for over 50 years. Mary Ella was beloved by hundreds of her “kids” at Ensworth School where she worked for 35 years. She loved horses, fishing, trips out West, her granddaughter, and all her friends and family. Mary Ella was an amazing lady who made everyone she met feel special.

Earnest was an outstanding halter exhibitor and stallion manager at Tamarack Acres and Shadow Valley Farm. In fact, he was the first person to show Prides Generator, and Mary Ella was the one that put Prides Generator through the Harlinsdale Yearling Sale all by herself while Earnest was at another sale.  

The family requests any donations be made to Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Darden, Tennessee, or to Ensworth School in Nashville.