Gloria Mae Burkett Deese

On July 27th, 2025, Gloria Mae Burkett Deese, fierce and fragile, entered Heaven's Gates with sparkly fingernails and her family all around. She gave us all individually her love and marching orders...and to some of us her passwords. A retiree from Roanoke's City Council office, she enjoyed her Kindle, her puzzles, and hours of Yahtzee with her husband of 60 years, John.

In addition to John, she is survived by her daughter, Melissa Mays (David); Grandchildren - Aaron Pierce, Avery Pierce (Steffane) Garrett Pierce (Beth), Ashley Nelson (Jared); Siblings - Mark Burkett (Bill), Linda Black, Connie Hayes (Frank) and many nieces and nephews. Gloria is predeceased by her parents, Earl William Burkett and Shirley Day Burkett, and sister, Amy Shrader.

Memorial services will be private.