Virginia Luetta Fincham Burky, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 14, 2014 at her home in Mill Creek. She was born Monday, November 4, 1929 in Adolph, a daughter of the late Kermit Quinten Fincham and Flora Wegman Fincham. On October 23, 1948, in Oakland, MD, she was married to Vernon John Burky who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Denise Burky Kramer and husband Harry of Elkins, and Sandra Burky of Pickens, two brothers, John Fincham and wife Bessie of Glen Burnie, MD and Truman Fincham and wife Nancy of Hedgesville, three sisters, Arlene Lanham and husband William of Quiet Dell, Sharon Bonnett and husband Gary of Rock Cave and Charolette Carr and husband Rodney of Fleming, OH, three granddaughters, Kadra Casseday and husband Adam, Karly and Kary Kramer, and one great-grandson, Vernon Roy Casseday. Preceding her in death besides her parents were four sisters, Verna Culbertson, Nancy Mathes, Alma Cave and Olive Farrar and two brothers, Gatewood and Paul Fincham. Virginia attended the Fincham Chapel Church, loved the Lord, and studied the Bible daily. At age 83 she was baptized, once again, in the Middle Fork River on her family farm in Adolph. As the oldest of twelve children, Virginia was not only a sister and friend, but also a mother-figure to many including her siblings and niece, Diane Culbertson Fielden. Virginia met Vernon, the love of her life, as a teenager on a blind date and was swooned by his baby blue eyes, kind heart, and 1937 Lincoln Zephyr. Virginia was a graduate of Tygarts Valley High School and attended West Virginia Business College – a progressive lady for her time. While living in Akron, Ohio, she worked as a jukebox company typist updating the area with the latest hits. She was also a self-taught painter and quilter who greatly influenced her daughters and granddaughters. Virginia was an early member of the Pickens Rebekah Lodge 55, enjoyed being an active member of the Helvetia Farm Women’s Association, and assisted with Helvetia Restoration projects for many years. She was also selected to represent her community as the Belle of Randolph County in 2008. She was a volunteer with many area organizations, including the Cancer Care Corps, Tyrand Parish, 4-h, and what is now the Russell Memorial Public Library of Mill Creek. Virginia enjoyed traveling, gardening, visiting, and singing traditional hymns and Swiss music with her family. She and Vernon made special trips to Washington, D.C. and Switzerland together with the Washington, D.C. Swiss Folklore Group and were involved with the Swiss Benevolent Society. In her later years, Virginia enjoyed researching genealogy and corresponding with family and friends via Facebook. She loved unconditionally and greeted everyone she met with a smile. The family suggests that contributions be made to the Fincham Chapel Association, 505 Helvetia Pike, Mill Creek, WV 26280 or the Helvetia Zion Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 235, Helvetia, WV 26224, in memory of Virginia Fincham Burky. A visitation will be held at the Helvetia Zion Presbyterian Church Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 1:30P to 3:30P, the funeral hour. Reverend William ” Wink” Lanham will officiate. Virginia’s request for cremation will then be honored and inurnment will take place at a later date in the Pickens Cemetery.
