Vernie (Cocklin) Burkett

Vernie (Cocklin) Burkett lost her battle with cancer on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, in Johnsonville, Tenn.

She was born on June 22, 1946, in Cadillac, Mich., to Stanley and Helen Roper.

Vernie always had a joke or a good story for every occasion. She loved to laugh and to share that gift with everyone she met.

Vernie also loved to cook and made sure that at every holiday, she fed the entire town so that those who had no place to go still had family to spend the holiday with. She also loved to crochet and tried to make sure that everyone she knew had an afghan made by her.

She was the first to volunteer for fundraisers such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and was happy to be able to use her talents to help those in need.

To Vernie, there was nothing more important than friends, and all friends became family. Her deep heart and gentle, giving soul will be missed.

Vernie is survived by her husband, Bob, in Tennessee; her daughter, Roxanne Ferrell of Lapier, Mich.; her son, Marshall (and Kelly) Gardner of Priest River; her son, Jack (and Susie) Cocklin of Johnsonville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Ashley and Sam Ferrell, Shelby and J.C. Cocklin; and Elijah, Nathan and Jeffrey Gardner; and two great-grandchildren, Destiny and Ryatt.

Vernie leaves behind countless friends, but in particular, her best friend and sister and brother-in-law, Jim and Mary Cocklin; and best friends, Terry and Al Shepherd of Bayview, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Jordan.

A potluck and celebration of Vernie's life will be held at Terry's Cafe in Bayview on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, at 2 p.m.