Myrtle Jeanette Burcham

Myrtle Jeanette Burcham died at her home on 25 March 2010 at 78 years of age after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on May 1, 1931 in Dublin MD, the daughter of the late Jane Yale Cheek Marcum and Wayne Edward Cheek.

She graduated from Bel Air High School in 1948 and attended Harford Community College in the early 1970's. Jeanette was a member of Dublin United Methodist Church beginning in 1945.
She worked at the old Edgewood Arsenal from 1948 until 1954 when she resigned to be a stay-at-home Mom and to help her husband on the family farm. In 1965 she returned to the workforce after getting her children in school. Jeanette worked at Harford Community College from 1965 to 1974 as Secretary to the Dean of the College. She then returned to work for the Department of Defense at APG, her last position at Aberdeen Test Center was Test Scheduler. While employed there she received numerous awards.
Jeanette retired in 1991 to become a full time mom, granny and farmer assistant. After retirement she volunteered at the shelter for women and children in Harford County, as Office Manager at Dublin United Methodist Church where she also served on various committees and participated in many activities of her church. She had attended Mt. Vernon for the last eight years. She was a member of the Gadabouts, served on the committee representing her church. She loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all of her friends she had made over her lifetime. Jeanette loved to cook whether it was having her family come home for dinner or cooking for her friends at Gadabouts or for any other time there was a need for food. She and Pervis loved to dance and listen to jazz music and attended many jazz concerts at Harford Community College. They enjoyed attending dances with their adult children. Jeanette traveled to Hawaii 3 times and toured Alaska and the United States twice with her husband.

Jeanette is survived by her beloved husband, Pervis C. Burcham after 58 years whom she married on June 2 1951 at Oak Grove Baptist Church; a daughter, Sara Jane Testerman and husband Jeffery of Forest Hill; her sons Pervis C. Burcham III and wife Susan of Florence, KY; David A. Burcham of Colora; Richard L. Burcham and wife Betty of Forest Hill; Samuel M. Burcham and wife Jeanie of Baltimore County and James R. Burcham and wife Betsy of Baltimore County. She was the proud grandmother of Kirsten McClain and husband Anthony, of Armuchee, GA; Erika Farris and husband Jeff of Ballain, MO; Katie Burcham of Dayton OH; Meranda Burcham of Madison, WI; Michelle Kallberg of Minot ND; Richard Burcham Jr. and wife Carrie of Darlington; Danielle Burcham of Forest Hill; Douglas Testerman of Forest Hill; Cara Testerman of Forest Hill; Cassie Burcham and fiancé Tony Petralia of Bel Air; and Jamie Burcham of Jarrettsville. She is also survived by 7 great grandchildren.

Jeanette was predeceased by her parents, one sister, Ruth at the age of two and her step-father Harold Marcum.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Dublin United Methodist Church, 1528 Whiteford Rd., Street, MD. 21154 or Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, 1510 Deep Run Rd., Whiteford, MD. 21160.

Pall bearers will be her sons and son-in-law.