Callie M. Burke, a beacon of love and selflessness, was called home to her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2025, at the age of 77, in San Diego, California. Born on May 17, 1948, in Enid, Mississippi, Callie’s life was a testament to faith, compassion, and service. She was a cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose legacy of kindness and devotion will forever live in the hearts of those she touched.
Callie embodied a life well-lived, guided by her steadfast Christian faith. She found her calling in caring for others, dedicating over 50 years to nursing. Her remarkable career included 20 years of honorable service with the U.S. Navy Reserve, followed by two decades each at the V.A. Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. For Callie, nursing was more than a profession—it was her ministry, her way of walking in the footsteps of the Great Healer.
A proud graduate of Kaiser University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Callie was not only a skilled professional but also a nurturing presence to all.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents; Porter Madkins and Effie Lacey, and her sister Gloria Dean Smith.
Her memory will be lovingly cherished by her sisters; Verda Emory and Joyce Suggs, both of Memphis, Tennessee, her four children: Darrell Madkins of Memphis, TN; Tonya and George Bailey of Murrieta, CA; Allisa and Torian Walker of Omaha, NE; and Cheryl Calvin of Baltimore, MD. She was the proud grandmother of twelve and great-grandmother of six, all of whom were the light of her life and the recipients of her boundless love.
In her personal life, Callie found joy in reading her Bible, attending church, fishing, and visiting amusement parks—but nothing compared to time spent with family. Her favorite scripture, “We love because He first loved us,” (1 John 4:19), reflected how she lived every day.
To know Callie was to witness grace, faith, and unwavering love in action. She reminded others that “Faith is not about everything turning out okay; it’s about being okay no matter how things turn out.” Her strength, warmth, and faith continue to inspire all who knew her.
As we bid farewell, we rejoice knowing she rests in the eternal peace of Christ, her light shining on through the countless lives she touched.