June 23, 1929 – April 17, 2011

JACKSON — June Ella Bourke Martin, 81, died Sunday, April 17, 2011, at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Basilica in Natchez.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home.

June was born June 23, 1929, in Natchez, the daughter of Nettie Lee Jones Bourke and James Robert Bourke.

She was a life-long member of St. Mary Basilica until her move in 2002, to live her remaining years with her children. She was a long-time employee of Burns Shoe Store.

Her loves in life were her many nieces and nephews and all of her “children” she thought of as her own. She loved flowers, travel and any adventure that came her way. Her sense of humor and laughter were infectious. She never met a stranger and everyone was welcome at her table where a number of delicious meals were enjoyed.

She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Henry E. Martin; and 10 siblings, Odell “Doc,” Elizabeth “Dovie,” Roberta “Bobbie,”Margaret, Edward, Freddy Ferguson, James, Robert “Sonny,” Nursie and Floyd Bourke.

Survivors include one daughter, Leann Martin Smith and husband, Chuck, of Brandon; one son, Michael H. Martin of Raymond; beloved grandson, Joshua Michael Martin; two stepdaughters, Sherry Martin Hanson of Natchez and her children, Sarah and Scott, and Gina Martin O’Brien and her husband, Tom, of Leawood, Kan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Audubon Society or the Community Animal Rescue Association of Jackson.