Wayne Burkett July 13, 1946 - July 23, 2022
Gayle Evelyn Mittelsteadt and Wayne Louis Burkett met when they were in kindergarten at Main Street School in Farmingdale, NY. Gayle was born in New York, NY, daughter of the late Edward A. F. Mittelsteadt and Evelyn Hazel MacIntosh Mittelsteadt. Wayne was born in Amityville, NY to William St. John Burkett and Josephine Cerny Burkett.
They grew up in the same church, Farmingdale United Methodist, where they shared many adventures with their youth group friends. They began dating during their junior year at Farmingdale High School and graduated together in 1964. Gayle then went on to Centre College in Danville, KY, while Wayne went to Northeastern University in Boston, MA. True love prevailed, however, and Gayle returned to New York where the two were married on December 23, 1967 in the church they had grown up in.
Shortly after the wedding, they relocated to Massachusetts, eventually settling in Needham, MA where Wayne began working for the William Carter Company. Gayle also worked at Carter’s for a short time before they began building a family of their own. After spending a few years as a stay-at-home mom, Gayle eventually began working again, providing in-home childcare for several different families. Wayne and Gayle lived in Massachusetts for 22 years before moving to Griffin, Georgia when Wayne was transferred with his company.
After relocating to Georgia, Gayle continued to work as an in-home daycare provider while Wayne continued to work for the William Carter Company. With their children grown and out of the house, they spent much of their time traveling and pursuing their own interests. Gayle was an avid quilter and would drag Wayne to many a quilt shop during their travels. Wayne eventually retired from the William Carter Company after 45+ years and Gayle retired from daycare. They spent much of their retirement participating in various Masonic organizations and traveling.
Gayle was a 50+ year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Matron 5 times, Deputy Grand Matron in Massachusetts, Grand Representative of Quebec and Grand Martha in Georgia, and was serving as Associate Grand Conductress in Georgia at the time of her passing. She was also involved with the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, serving as a Mother Advisor and advisory board member for several assemblies, both in Massachusetts and Georgia. She was a holder of the Grand Cross of Color for Rainbow. Gayle was an avid quilter. She belonged to many quilt guilds in Georgia, had earned several honors and awards for her quilts, and was a documenter for the Georgia Quilt Project.
Wayne was a 50+ year Mason and a member of the Norfolk Lodge in Needham, MA and Meridian Sun Lodge in Griffin, GA. He also attended Montgomery Lodge #31 in Zebulon. Wayne was an active member of several other Masonic organizations, including Order of the Eastern Star, York Rite, and Scottish Rite.
They are survived by their children: Edward W. Burkett (Sharon) of Framingham, MA, and Janice Burkett Davis of East Bethel, MN; grandchildren: Eleanor, Natalie, and Theodore Burkett of Framingham, MA and Amanda, Brett, and Christian Davis of East Bethel, MN.
Gayle is also survived by cousins: Susan K. Ellinghaus (Robert), Roger Burke, Kevin Burke (Nadine), Alison Winters (Richard), and Glynis Eble (Raymond).
Wayne is also survived by a brother: William E. Burkett (Jaye); nephew: William G. Burkett (Bobbi Jean), and daughter Callie; niece: Sandra B. Coughlin (Bryan) and children Liam and Louisa; cousin: Sharon Ogden
A service to celebrate their lives will be held on Sunday, September 4, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home. The masons from the Meridian Sun Lodge #26 in Griffin and The Grand Family from the Eastern Star will be assisting with the service.
Friends may visit the family after the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grand Chapter of Georgia Service Dogs Fund, P.O. Box 2436, Kennesaw, GA 30156.
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