Dr. Heather Poe Burke

FORT MEADE – Dr. Heather Elaine Burke, 42, passed away Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Fort Meade, FL after an extended battle with brain cancer. Heather was born April 11, 1979 in Bartow, FL. She was the daughter of Rickey and Patsy Poe. After living in Mooreland, IN, Heather returned to Florida in 2007 and moved to Fort Meade in 2013. She was a Medical Doctor and had worked with Florida Cancer Specialists and attended Florida’s First Assembly of God in Wauchula, FL. Heather was passionate about the medical field, specializing in cancer diagnostics. She enjoyed helping others with any health concerns. She was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and especially loved watching their son Logan play football and even coaching youth football prior to her illness. Heather married the love of her life, Joseph Burke, on Dec. 2, 2000.

Heather was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Homer and Justine Keaton; paternal grandfather, Houston Poe; paternal great-grandparents, Byron and Doris Cross; aunts, Donita Darling and Juanita Keaton.

She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Joseph E. Burke, Fort Meade, FL; sons, Logan Matthew Burke, Fort Meade, FL, Austin G. Burke, New Castle, IN; daughter, Dezirae S. Corder (Jake), Muncie, IN; father and mother, Rickey and Patsy Poe, Mooreland, IN; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Martha Burke, New Castle, IN; paternal grandmother, Hertha Luna (Frank); brother-in-laws, Troy Burke (Kitty), Nathaniel Burke (Christal McCree), Andy Burke (Jenny), Adam Burke (Ashlee); grandchildren, Averi Burke, Holdyn Burke, Penelope Corder, Cali Corder, Grace Corder; close family friends, the Stunkard family, Matthew, Ronda, Zachary, Zane, Zaryn, Zian, the Brooks family, Raymond, Rebecca, Mackinzie, Chelsie, Raymond II; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the House of Praise, 3920 Murray Rd., Bowling Green, FL. Memorial service will follow at 7:00 with Pastor Matthew Stunkard officiating. Memorial donations may be made in Heather’s memory, per her wishes, to: www.headforthecure.org for brain cancer research. Memorial service to be held in Indiana will be announced at a later date.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171