Marjorie H. (Hardman) Burke

Marjorie H Burke 92 of Sand Fork, West Virginia passed away peacefully on Friday October 3rd 2025, surrounded by family.

Marge would say about her life and accolades, "I'm not sure how I did all that ". She was committed to kindness, love, and service.

Marge graduated from Burnsville High School. In 1953, she graduated from Glenville State. While at Glenville State she was the first woman to earn a letter and a sweater in intramural sports. In 2003 she was chosen as Alumnus of the Year. From 2001 to 2010 Marge would serve as a member of Glenville States Board of Governors. She served as Chair of the Board from 2003 to 2005. In 2023 GSU Board of Governors and President Manchin conferred the degree of Doctor of Public Service, honorus causa to Marge.

As a young girl Marge spent summer's farming with her grandfather in Braxton County and gained a love for agriculture that would continue throughout her entire life. She was a member of the West Virginia Farm Bureau for over 60 years. In 2010 she served as chairperson of the West Virginia State FSA Committee. Marge's love and dedication for agriculture earned her a spot in the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. The Democratic party described Marge as a "lifelong champion of West Virginia's agricultural community " and " steadfast advocate for working families ".

Marge was a Gilmer County 4-H volunteer leader for 64 years and a 4-H All-Star since 1967. Every summer she looked forward to providing the afternoon watermelon treat at camp. She was proud that in 64 years she only missed one year due to COVID.

Marge had a distinguished career serving in the West Virginia House of delegates from 1978 to 1996. She was known as the " Bulldog " of the finance committee. She was the first Chair of the West Virginia Women's Legislative Caucus in 1983. Marge had the distinction of being the first woman to preside over the House. She was also the first female Speaker Pro Tempore and the House’s only female Majority Whip.

Marge was a founding member and former President of the West Virginia Federation of Democrat Women in 1985 she was inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Marge has many more accomplishments but most importantly, she touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.

Marge was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Billy Brown Burke. She was also preceded in death by her parents George Dencil and Hazel (Bowyer) Hardman and her siblings, George “Bessie” Hardman, Mary Alice (infant), Coleta “Bootsie” Thompson, Edith Sharon West, and William Raymond Hardman. Marge is survived by two daughters Roberta Diane (Mike) Hatton of Sugarland, Texas and Carolyn Sue Holvey of Flatwoods, West Virginia. She also leaves behind two granddaughters Burke Ashley Friend of Oakland, Maryland and Samantha Carol Holvey and her husband Jason Franz of Charleston South Carolina and two great grandsons Joel Lipscomb and Eli Friend. Marge also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nephews, great great nieces and nephews as well as special friends Carey Blainey, Nancy Greenlief, and Tammy Keough.

There will be a celebration of love and life for Marge on October 26th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a service at 4:30 p.m. with Pastor Phil Wilson Officiating at Glenville State University's Department of Fine Arts . In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Billy and Marge Burke Scholarship Fund at Glenville State University.

Online condolences may be made at www.DavisFuneralHomeWV.com. Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burke family.

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