Kathryn Burke Greever, 86, of Morgantown, passed away Dec. 2, 2018, at Mapleshire Nursing Home.
She was born in Beckley on March 6, 1932, the daughter of the late Elbert Sherman Burke and Vida May Comer Burke.
Kitty grew up in Russell County, Va., attending grammar school at Grassy Creek Elementary, two years at high school at Castlewood, Va., and two years at Virginia Intermont Junior College in Bristol, Va., graduating in 1948, at age 16.
She attended and received her BA degree from Emory and Henry College in 1952. She received her Doctor of Education Degree from the University of West Virginia, and served for a number of years as a professor at WVU, teaching early childhood development. After moving to research, she was highly successful in writing and obtaining grants to fund many WVU research projects. She was active in civic affairs in Morgantown, most notably leading the effort to establish a pet shelter and neutering program for Morgantown. She retired from the WVU faculty in January 1997.
She is survived by her nephews, James Curtis Hughes (Lyle), of Decatur, Ala., and their children, James Jr. and Allyson Hughes Virden; Michael Edward Burke, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Gregory Scott Burke, of Apollo Beach, Fla.; and her greatniece, Deborah Hughes Murphy, of Morgantown.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Ray Burke and Kenneth Edward Burke; and one sister, Ethel Marie Burke Hughes (Ollin).
She will be missed greatly by her circle of close friends, Pat Somoni, Beth Royal, Richard Eddy, and Dianne Woodrum-Leuthold; the serving staff at the nearby WVU Cafeteria; and many friends and neighbors in the Evansville neighborhood.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 12. There will be a memorial service held at Castlewood Funeral Home at a later date. Inurnment will then follow at Temple Hill Cemetery, in Castlewood, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center, 243 High St., 2nd floor, Morgantown, WV 26505, or a WVU program or charitable organization of your choice.
Condolences: hastingsfuneralhome.com
