Obituary of Ruth Anne Burkey

BURKEY - Ruth Anne (Rager), 94, of Twin Rocks, was called home to God on April 4, 2022, with her daughter by her side. Born November 6, 1927 in Twin Rocks, the granddaughter of the late Samuel and Pearl (Wheeland) Rager and was raised in their home as their daughter. She married her one and only love, Raphael L. "Ray" Burkey in March 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the conclusion of WWII. They were married three months short of 57 years when Ray preceded her in death on January 1, 2003. Ruth Anne was a Christian who was a Sunday School teacher and youth leader for most of her life at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Twin Rocks. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and going to yard sales. She was known for her grandmother's raisin filled cookies and all the canning she did when Ray had a big garden. Her greatest joy was her family whom she loved dearly. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and wonderful friend to so many. She will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her. Ruth Anne was privileged to have had two families...the aunts and uncles she was raised with and her half brothers and sisters. These are the members of the family she was raised with whom are all deceased: uncles, Sterling Rager, Herbert Rager and William Rager; aunts, Velma (Rager) Fatula, Margaret (Rager) Watson, Emma Rager and Sara (Rager) (Johnson) McCully, birth mother. These are the members of her second family who are deceased: brothers, Daniel "Dean" Johnson, Samuel Johnson, George McCully, and William "Bill" McCully; and sister, Mary Lou (McCully) O 'Farrell.  Loving mother to children, Lyndon Lee Burkey, who is deceased; Craig Burkey, Sr. (wife, Carol, deceased); Georgeanne and husband, Richard Smidga; and Ruffina Winters. Also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and sister, Sally (Johnson) Radebach. Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Nanty Glo, Pastor Rob Dicken, officiating. Interment, Lloyd Cemetery, Ebensburg. Condolences may be left for the family at www.askew-houser.com. As a memorial contribution, please take a moment to do a kind deed or lend a helping hand to a stranger or someone in need in Ruth Anne's memory. She was a kind loving person who would help anyone at any time. Mom you are finally home! We love you dearly.