Margaret K. Burkey

Reverend Margaret Helen Kentfield Burkey went home to The Lord on September 1, 2016. She was born September 5, 1925 to Helen and Fred Kentfield in Hadley, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her parents, Brother Jim Kentfield of Hadley and her beloved husband, Oliver. She leaves behind: her sister, Dorothy Kentfield Blackwell of Shelby, North Carolina; four sons and daughters-in-law: Kent and Kathy Yensen Burkey of Raleigh, North Carolina, John and Stacey Burkey of Bloomington, Indiana, Paul and Ruth Burkey of Greeneville, and Mark and Jennifer Burkey of Piney Flats; 12 grandchildren: Jacob Burkey of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, Allison and Drew Hintz of Avon, Indiana, Rebecca and David Zaborowski of Warner Robins, Georgia, Gwen Burkey of Columbus, Ohio, Dan and Mary Burkey of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Hunter and Jessamine Burkey of Fairbanks, Alaska, Martha Grace and Michael Moore of Alexandria, Virginia, Thomas Burkey of Danville, Kentucky, Nancy Katherine Burkey of Greeneville, Jonathan and Bonni Burkey of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, Amber and Clayton Dowell of Bristol, Tennessee, and Emily and Justin Brandt of Wake Forest, North Carolina; 12 great grandchildren; special nieces and nephews; her treasured companions: Kristen Newton, Katherine Koenig, and Nancy Adams; a dear church family ; her loving devoted doctor and dear friend, Katherine Gray; Takoma Internal Medicine Staff; and the kind folks at Smoky Mountain Hospice.

Margaret graduated from Colby Sawyer Junior College and completed her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College in 1946. After graduate studies at Columbia University and University of Chicago Theological Seminary, she earned her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies and Christian Education. In 1952, following an internship in Utica, New York, Margaret was called to become a missionary in East Tennessee by the Doak-Balch Greater Parish in Holston Presbytery of the UPC-USA. Pioneering a new field for women in this region, Margaret overcame many obstacles presented to her by folks who didn’t think a woman belonged in her vocation. She successfully oversaw youth groups in area churches, including Timber Ridge, Amity, Philadelphia, Liberty, Cross Anchor, Walkertown, and Newport Presbyterian Churches. Many of her former youth group members remember her fondly.

It was at Timber Ridge where Margaret caught the eye of Dewey Oliver Burkey, Junior. The church young people did everything they could to encourage the match, as did several adult members! Upon a visit to meet Margaret’s parents in Massachusetts, Oliver proposed on the overlook of Mt. Holyoke. When they returned, Oliver took Margaret to Knoxville to select an engagement ring. He feared that news would spread quickly in the Dulaney Community and they would not be able to announce their own engagement. They were married on May 26, 1954.

Margaret and Oliver built a house on Warrensburg Road and lived there for 60 years. Margaret was a homemaker for 25 years, until their youngest son went to college. She was an active member of Timber Ridge Presbyterian Women, supported Glenwood Ruritan, and was a Glenwood PTA President. An outspoken champion of Glenwood School, Margaret was instrumental in convincing the Greene County School Board to replace the original building with a safer, more modern one.

In 1982, she studied and successfully passed her Ordination Exams to become a Presbyterian minister. Margaret served as a supply pastor for area churches and served as a Synod of the Living Waters representative to the Presbyterian Self-Development of People Committee. She travelled to several countries, overseeing clean water and improvement projects for underprivileged communities.

Margaret loved The Lord and devoted her life to helping others and serving her Maker. Her proudest accomplishment was raising four loving and successful sons.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church over the Memorial Day weekend, 2017 – Margaret and Oliver’s 63rd Anniversary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church or Greene County Imagination Library.