Obituary for Burke Morris Bullock
Burke Morris Bullock reunited with his lifelong love, Beverly Sue Driskell Bullock, and joined the ranks of Heaven on February 14, 2023. He was born September 26, 1940, to Morris and Mary Ellen Bullock, and was raised in the Pickton community. In his junior high years, he met Sue, and from that time on, they were together in all life activities. They were married on June 3, 1961, in Winnsboro, at the First Baptist Church. Sue was attended at the wedding by her dear sister in law, Becky Calvert, Burke’s sister, who passed away in 2014.
In January, 1963, their first son Alan was born, followed by Amber in 1965, John in 1969, and Jana in 1971. During that time, Burke and Sue lived in Commerce attending East Texas State University to obtain teaching degrees. After finishing college they began their teaching careers in Dangerfield for a short time, then landed in Winnsboro in 1964. From that time forward, both Burke and Sue worked at WISD serving the students of several generations.
Burke began his affiliation with vocational agriculture and FFA when he began teaching in Winnsboro ISD where he taught and mentored many students in the areas of ag mechanics, market animals, shop, and horticulture. In addition to the projects he oversaw, he mentored many students completing their Lone Star degrees, as well as students participating at the district and state level FFA leadership for parliamentary procedure and judging.
Burke was especially successful at teaching his students agriculture mechanics skills and was one of the first teachers in the state to enter his students in the agriculture mechanics shows at the Houston Livestock Show and other ag mechanics venues. As the Ag teacher at Winnsboro High School he was one of the founders of the Winnsboro Jr Livestock Show, the Winnsboro Hay Show, and the Wood County Jr Livestock Show and Sale. Burke loved his students, and they loved him. The inspiration that they received from him propelled many of them to succeed in their lives. He was also a mentor to many young agriculture teachers as he hosted and supervised them during their student teaching experience at college.
Burke’s involvement in FFA across his 30 year career touched many students across the years. After retiring from teaching in 1994, Burke served two terms as Hopkins County commissioner, Precinct 2, applying his knowledge to help his neighbors.
In addition to teaching, Burke ran a dairy operation in Hopkins county. Later, his son Alan joined him in the operations until 2018 when the industry dictated an end to the business. Burke’s knowledge of agricultural processes was shared with his students, and he utilized his operations to expose students to various aspects of agriculture and herd management.
Across Burke’s lifespan, he participated in civic interests, and served on many boards and volunteered with several groups. As a younger man, he was a 59.5 year member of Gus Garrison Lodge #1273, and volunteer fireman. He was a member of the Lion’s club, and served on the boards of Mid-America, Pickton Cornersville WSC, and Harmony Cemetery. Burke served on the Wood County Electric Co-op Board for 30 years, as well. Burke was a member of the First Baptist church for many years, and returned to his childhood church as a Deacon at Tabernacle Baptist, most recently attending Pine Street Baptist church. Burke was instrumental in many community activities and projects that benefited the community for most of his adult life.
Burke deeply enjoyed cooking for others, and hosting events that gathered his friends and family. He was also interested in genealogy and worked to learn about the history of his family. This led to being instrumental in the care of Harmony cemetery where he spent a lot of energy looking after it. He was also interested in aviation, even obtaining his pilot’s license earlier in his life.
Burke’s greatest love was Sue, who passed away in 2020, after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Alan and daughter in law Shelly Bullock, of Winnsboro, TX; daughter Amber and son in law Randy Rhodes of Charleston, WV; son John and daughter in law Laney Bullock of Rockwall, TX; and daughter Jana and son in law Marc Rothbauer, of Rockwall, TX. After raising his four children, he happily welcomed each grandchild. He is survived by Alan’s children, Nathan Bullock, Britney Bullock by marriage, and Nicholas Bullock of Winnsboro, TX; Amber’s children, Bailey Ferrari, Nick Ferrari by marriage of Morgantown, WV, and Kasey Rhodes of Lexington, KY; John’s children Daeton Bullock, of College Station, TX, Shelby Bullock of Dallas, TX, Samantha Bullock of Mesquite, TX, Evan Phelps, Quitman, TX, and Callen Phelps of Farmersville, TX, and Josey Bullock, Rockwall, TX; Jana’s children, Kaitlin Rothbauer of Tyler, TX, and Luke Rothbauer of Bellmead, Texas. Great granddaughter, Ruby Bullock, of Winnsboro, TX.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2022 at Pine Street Baptist Church in Winnsboro from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Funeral Services will follow at the church at 2:00 pm
In January, 1963, their first son Alan was born, followed by Amber in 1965, John in 1969, and Jana in 1971. During that time, Burke and Sue lived in Commerce attending East Texas State University to obtain teaching degrees. After finishing college they began their teaching careers in Dangerfield for a short time, then landed in Winnsboro in 1964. From that time forward, both Burke and Sue worked at WISD serving the students of several generations.
Burke began his affiliation with vocational agriculture and FFA when he began teaching in Winnsboro ISD where he taught and mentored many students in the areas of ag mechanics, market animals, shop, and horticulture. In addition to the projects he oversaw, he mentored many students completing their Lone Star degrees, as well as students participating at the district and state level FFA leadership for parliamentary procedure and judging.
Burke was especially successful at teaching his students agriculture mechanics skills and was one of the first teachers in the state to enter his students in the agriculture mechanics shows at the Houston Livestock Show and other ag mechanics venues. As the Ag teacher at Winnsboro High School he was one of the founders of the Winnsboro Jr Livestock Show, the Winnsboro Hay Show, and the Wood County Jr Livestock Show and Sale. Burke loved his students, and they loved him. The inspiration that they received from him propelled many of them to succeed in their lives. He was also a mentor to many young agriculture teachers as he hosted and supervised them during their student teaching experience at college.
Burke’s involvement in FFA across his 30 year career touched many students across the years. After retiring from teaching in 1994, Burke served two terms as Hopkins County commissioner, Precinct 2, applying his knowledge to help his neighbors.
In addition to teaching, Burke ran a dairy operation in Hopkins county. Later, his son Alan joined him in the operations until 2018 when the industry dictated an end to the business. Burke’s knowledge of agricultural processes was shared with his students, and he utilized his operations to expose students to various aspects of agriculture and herd management.
Across Burke’s lifespan, he participated in civic interests, and served on many boards and volunteered with several groups. As a younger man, he was a 59.5 year member of Gus Garrison Lodge #1273, and volunteer fireman. He was a member of the Lion’s club, and served on the boards of Mid-America, Pickton Cornersville WSC, and Harmony Cemetery. Burke served on the Wood County Electric Co-op Board for 30 years, as well. Burke was a member of the First Baptist church for many years, and returned to his childhood church as a Deacon at Tabernacle Baptist, most recently attending Pine Street Baptist church. Burke was instrumental in many community activities and projects that benefited the community for most of his adult life.
Burke deeply enjoyed cooking for others, and hosting events that gathered his friends and family. He was also interested in genealogy and worked to learn about the history of his family. This led to being instrumental in the care of Harmony cemetery where he spent a lot of energy looking after it. He was also interested in aviation, even obtaining his pilot’s license earlier in his life.
Burke’s greatest love was Sue, who passed away in 2020, after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Alan and daughter in law Shelly Bullock, of Winnsboro, TX; daughter Amber and son in law Randy Rhodes of Charleston, WV; son John and daughter in law Laney Bullock of Rockwall, TX; and daughter Jana and son in law Marc Rothbauer, of Rockwall, TX. After raising his four children, he happily welcomed each grandchild. He is survived by Alan’s children, Nathan Bullock, Britney Bullock by marriage, and Nicholas Bullock of Winnsboro, TX; Amber’s children, Bailey Ferrari, Nick Ferrari by marriage of Morgantown, WV, and Kasey Rhodes of Lexington, KY; John’s children Daeton Bullock, of College Station, TX, Shelby Bullock of Dallas, TX, Samantha Bullock of Mesquite, TX, Evan Phelps, Quitman, TX, and Callen Phelps of Farmersville, TX, and Josey Bullock, Rockwall, TX; Jana’s children, Kaitlin Rothbauer of Tyler, TX, and Luke Rothbauer of Bellmead, Texas. Great granddaughter, Ruby Bullock, of Winnsboro, TX.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2022 at Pine Street Baptist Church in Winnsboro from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Funeral Services will follow at the church at 2:00 pm