Mollie Marie Pitman Burkett was born at Ingle, Ky., Pulaski County, on March 21, 1912, and departed this life at Sunrise Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Somerset, Ky. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009.

She was the daughter of the late Milton and Des Muse Pitman, former residents of Pulaski County. She had four brothers and five sisters, all of whom preceded her in death.

She married O.H. (Orville Hugh) Burkett on Nov. 10, 1934, in Lexington, Ky. He preceded her in death on Feb. 1, 1971.

To this union five sons were born: Frank Milton Burkett (Virginia), James Carroll Burkett (Paula), Hugh Nevins Burkett (Alice), Barry Lee Burkett (Sue), and John Douglas Burkett (Cindy). All survive but Frank Milton and James Carroll. Other survivors are 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Burkett was a graduate of Casey County High School (former Liberty High School) and Eastern Kentucky University. She began her teaching career in a one-room school in Casey County, teaching five years in that county. When she married, she moved to Pulaski County where she taught 16 years in the Pulaski County Schools and 19 years in the Somerset City Schools — a total of 40 years teaching.

After retirement, she gave one year (1982-83) of volunteer teaching in the Reading Department at the Oneida Baptist Institute; thus, actually teaching 41 years.

She was very much interested in the promotion of the 4-H Clubs in schools and worked with many of the youth and parents in 4-H for 30 years.

Mrs. Burkett was a homemaker and loved her family and her home on North Vine Street, very much.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Somerset where she taught Sunday School in the Children’s Department for several years, served as Director of Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) during the years of 1966 to 1971; was Associational WMU Director during the years of 1977 to 1983 and served four (4) years on the WMU Executive Board of Kentucky from 1977 to 1981.

She was very active in the Somerset Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron over the Chapter in 1965-66; 1968-69, 1970-71, and in 1979-1980; she also served as Deputy Grand Matron for District 8 in 1974-75.

After her retirement in 1977 and living alone, she began traveling. She traveled to many parts of the world: Europe, South America, Asia, and many places in her own United States. Additionally, for 12 years, from 1984-1996, she worked part time for the Somerset Independent Schools in the Adult Education Program as a Literacy Coordinator. She primarily trained people who wished to be tutors and

placed them with students needing extra help in reading.

Visitation for Mollie Burkett will be on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at the chapel of Somerset Undertaking & Crematory from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A funeral ceremony honoring the life of Mollie will be Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Somerset First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions take the form of donations to First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, Hospice of Lake Cumberland, God's Food Pantry, and Pulaski Adult Education Literacy Program, 502 Chandler St., Somerset, Ky. 42501.

Somerset Undertaking & Crematory is in charge of all arrangements for Mollie Burkett.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.somersetundertaking.com.