Aleesa Carter Burke Vogler

Aleesa Carter Burke Vogler

April 3, 1938-March 27, 2026

Aleesa Burke Vogler, lovingly known as memaw by her family, was the first-born child of Austin and Ruth Burke. She was born at Old City Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Memaw grew up in Winston-Salem with her parents and one younger sister, Andrea Ruth. She attended Calvary Moravian Church and had learned to play the clarinet by age 9 and went on to play in the Old Salem band where her father was the band leader. Memaw had a natural ability and love for cooking. Both her parents worked outside the home, so memaw was cooking family dinners by the age of 12. One of her legacies to her children and grandchildren was her “Sunday Suppers” where we would all go to the farm at 6pm on Sunday evenings and have a home-cooked meal together that always included dessert. Not only did she cook everything from scratch, but she washed the dishes and did the cleanup herself and always had leftovers for everyone to take home. She continued this practice until she was in her eighties. It is the reason our family has always been so close; it was a time to catch up with each other on weekly events in our lives and allowed the grandchildren time to play together and become more like siblings than cousins.

Aleesa attended Reynolds High School and graduated from South Fork High School in 1956. While in school she played the clarinet and was second chair with her baritone, performing solo parts in the high school band. She also played on the girls’ basketball team and won several awards for her backstroke on the swim team.

Memaw met the love of her life when she was a senior in high school. His name was Dallas Wilburn Vogler, Jr (Pawpaw) and they met at a high school football game. Pawpaw had just gotten out of the army and was working for Western Electric. Dallas proposed on their third date and Aleesa said “yes”! Memaw had to finish her senior year and graduate, then they were married on May 27^th, 1956.

Memaw and Pawpaw went on to have five children, all boys: Dee (Dallas the third), Mark, Todd, Matthew (Tad) and Jonathan. Memaw was a stay-at-home mom until the youngest boy turned 12 years old, then at age 38, she went back to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (her mother’s wish for her). She started her education at Surry Community College, graduated from Forsyth Technical Community College, and began her nursing career at Danbury Hospital. She also worked at the hospital in Mount Airy in the ICU and later did private duty. Memaw always felt her most important role was taking care of Pawpaw, the boys and all her family, and she was an excellent care giver!

Another legacy they both left to their family is “the Farm.”  Memaw and Pawpaw moved to Stokes County in 1971 and purchased 24 acres and began clearing land to build their home. Memaw was excellent with finances and very frugal. They built their home themselves and paid for the materials as they went. On the weekends, memaw and pawpaw worked at flea markets selling lemonade, sweaters, baskets and antiques to purchase the land. Memaw built the rock foundation of their house herself with rocks from the creek on their property. Memaw also did carpentry work on the house. It took 3 years to build their home, and it was paid for when they moved in—they were from a different generation—the best generation. She and Pawpaw worked on the farm and grew all kinds of vegetables, blueberries and day lilies. She could often be seen riding on her tractor in the field. There is nothing she could not grow, cook or do—she was an amazing woman, wife, mother and grandmother.

Memaw traveled many places in her lifetime. They took the boys on yearly vacations throughout the US and even Mexico. Once the boys were grown, Memaw traveled to England, Scotland, China, the Philippines, Japan, Canada, Mexico and took a Mediterranean cruise that included stops in Isreal and Turkey.

Memaw’s life was based on her faith and her family. Memaw loved the Lord with all her heart and never missed an opportunity to share her faith. In her younger years in the Moravian church, she helped with Love Feast services in candle and coffee making as well as serving as a Diener. In later years, she taught Sunday school and led adult Bible study. Before her vision failed her, she read her Bible daily and was quick to share a Bible verse or story to give guidance and knowledge to her family and friends (or a stranger). She talked to the Lord daily in prayer and was always prayerful for her family’s well-being and salvation.

Memaw had been waiting for the Lord to call her home to heaven for the past seven years since Pawpaw went to be with the Lord. Friday, March 27^th, 2026, her wait was over and prayer was answered, “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see…”

Memaw was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years, 2 daughters-in-law, and one grandson. Her remaining children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will miss her more than words can express, but we know she is finally at peace in her heavenly home and will be waiting for us to join her one day.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  Proverbs 31:25-31

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