The Norman Transcript
February 25, 2002
Orion M. Burkett, 97, died Friday. Funeral services are scheduled
for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Noble Church of Christ. Burial will follow
at the Noble IOOF Cemetery, under the direction of McMahans
Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Sunday and from
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
Mr. Burkett was born July 31, 1904, to James Marcus Burkett
and Sarah Ann McClain Burkett at the family's farm southeast of
Noble. He was a graduate of Noble High School and earned
bachelor's and master's degress in education from the University
of Oklahoma. He taught in six rural schools in Cleveland County.
In 1937, he took a leave of absence to serve as the night jailer
in Cleveland County and to return to the university. He returned
to teaching, then accepted the position of administrator of
general welfare of Cleveland County. He taught in the Norman
Public Schools at Jefferson and McKinley elementary schools
before becoming principal of Wilson Elementary School, where
he reamined for 27 years before retiring in 1969.
He also worked with the Norman Junior Police, the Junior Red
Cross and was involved in a traveling talent show to entertain
in the rural schools. He also was president of Cleveland County
Singing Convention.
He married Ethel Juanita DeWitt on Nov. 22, 1926. They were
parents of one son, who died shortly after birth. They were foster
parents to many children.
Mr. Burkett was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and
son, Orion M. Burkett Jr.; three brothers, Aubrey Darcy, Jesse
Carlos and Chelsea O. Burkett, and a sister, Lillie Arline Burkett
Hopkins. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Jewel Burkett; a
nephew, Roger, a sister Nadine Aurora Davis and husband,
B.I.; an adopted daughter, Sybil Chabbuck and husband, John,
and many foster children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
nieces and nephews.
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