Debra (Lewis) Burke

Mrs. Debra Lewis Burke, age 70, of Vidalia, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia after a sudden illness.  She was a native of Laurens County and lived in Dublin until moving to Vidalia in 2002. She was a 1971 graduate of East Laurens High School and attended Brewton-Parker College and Middle Georgia College. She worked in advertising sales at The Courier-Herald, Macon Telegraph, Forest Blade in Swainsboro, and more recently at WLYU radio station in Lyons. She was a member of Vidalia Baptist Temple. Cultivated from her father, Debra was an avid dirt track and drag racing enthusiast; and she enjoyed working in her yard and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by a son, Ryan Adkins; parents, Jack Lewis and Mary Frances Snipes Lewis; and two brothers, Steve Lewis and Al Lewis.

She is survived by her husband of twenty-eight years, Ronald C. Burke of Vidalia; two daughters, Renee Adkins Janssen of Canton, and Rebecca Adkins James and husband R.L. of Lyons; three stepchildren, Erica Burke Sutton of Wrightsville, and Eric Burke and Lee Burke, both of Laurens County; seven grandchildren, Marlee Williams of Vidalia, Claire Starnes and husband Jake of Palm Harbor, Florida, Will Dunlap, Mary Frances Janssen, and Caroline Janssen, all of Canton, Ella Kate James and Jaxon James, both of Lyons; one brother, Chad Lewis and wife Donna of Dublin; a great-grandson to be born on Christmas day; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening, November 21st from 6:00 until 8:00.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday morning, November 22nd, 2025, at 11:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Reece Mincey officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 at Dublin Memorial Gardens.

Flowers are accepted or memorial donations may be made to Reese Hughes Child Safety Foundation, 807 Loop Road, Apt. B-2, Vidalia, GA 30474.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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