Davalene S. Burch, 94, of Louisville, KY went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. She was born on August 10, 1929 in Hope, AR to the late Mable (Douthit) Carpenter and the late David L. Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John Paul Burch in 1972, her dearly loved daughters, Margaret Love in 1959 and Phyllis Jean in 2017, and her sister and best friend, Martha Ann Goad in 2016.

She graduated from Arkansas High School in Arkansas in 1946. Davalene graduated at the top of her class. She attended Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, AR. Her family moved to Louisville, KY in 1947. She completed three years of college at Henderson State Teachers College. During a summer break in Louisville in 1950, she met John Burch, the love of her life. They married on November 13, 1950. Two weeks later, John was drafted and stationed at Fort Knox, KY before serving in combat in Korea for two years. During John's military service in Korea, Davalene transferred to the University of Louisville and took classes while working for the Veterans Administration. After John returned from Korea, Davalene and John started their family and had six children. Davalene taught elementary aged students in parochial schools. She returned to the University of Louisville in 1968 and completed her Bachelor's degree in Education in 1969. She continued to teach and completed her Master's degree in Education at the University of Louisville in 1975. Davalene loved learning and was a lifelong learner.

Davalene was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family brought her tremendous joy. She deeply loved her children: Patricia Ann Burch Jacobs (Harvey), Paul Hamilton Burch (Vangie), Philip Alfred Burch (Ruby), Margaret Love Burch, Perry Joseph Burch, and Phyllis Jean Burch Kavanaugh (Russell). She was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who fondly called her Maw Maw. Grandchildren: Tim (Jenny), Ryan Burch, John (Michelle), Melissa (Curtis), Marla, John Andrew (Brenna), Kody (Amber), Kara, and great grandchildren: Abby, Benjamin, Brianne, Dayton, Addy, Charlotte, Isabella, Hayden, Teagan, Jonah, Noah, and Lyla.

She was also a devoted daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend. She loved visiting with family and friends. Davalene learned to use social media and enjoyed staying connected to her family and friends. She valued all of her beautiful relationships. Davalene deeply appreciated her wonderful caregivers at the Nazareth Clifton Home. She would always say, "I'm very blessed."

She taught elementary aged children in both parochial and public schools for twenty-eight years. She especially loved teaching the third grade. She made a difference in the lives of her students and community. She was always a teacher at heart. Many of her students fondly remember her as their favorite teacher.

Davalene had a special connection with her Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teachers Sorority (ADK) sisters. She had 45 years of service with ADK. She served as the ADK Theta Chapter President, Co-President, Secretary, Chaplain, Historian, Bylaws Chairman, Protocol Chairman and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. She served as the State of Kentucky Altruistic Chairman and Historian. She received the ADK Silver Sister Award for 25 years of service, the Turquoise Award for 35 years of service, and the Cleo Award for outstanding ADK chapter member. When Davalene was 91, ADK awarded her with the Zoom Award for the oldest ADK Sister in Kentucky to attend ADK virtual meetings.

In 2019, when Davalene was 90 years old, she was proud to be an honoree and recipient of the Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging from the University of Louisville Trager Institute. The award celebrates and honors older adults who embody the Institute's vision for a world where all older adults lead engaged and flourishing lives.

She was an avid reader and said reading took her on many adventures. Davalene enjoyed writing, and she wrote beautiful letters and notes. She loved staying in touch with loved ones. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Rummikub, and other games with her family and friends. Davalene was an avid University of Louisville Cardinals fan, and she enjoyed watching her "Cards" play football and basketball. She enjoyed traveling and visiting different parts of the country and the world. She especially enjoyed visiting Aruba, Australia and New Zealand.

Davalene's love of God and her faith were very deep and strong. She believed in daily prayer and loved praying the rosary. She faithfully attended mass and served as a lector. She was blessed with a beautiful voice and loved singing in her church choir from a young age. She especially enjoyed singing church hymns. Davalene taught RCIA religious education classes at several Louisville area Catholic parishes. She was a member of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Fern Creek, KY.

We will miss Davalene's sweet smile, cute sense of humor, warm hugs and unwavering love. Her positive attitude, kindness, wisdom and love of life will live on like a legacy of her love.

Her funeral mass is 10:30am Tuesday at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 5505 Bardstown Rd. Visitation 3:00-6:00 pm Monday at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Rd.  A rosary service is at 6:00pm Monday. A private burial is at St. Theresa Cemetery in Mooleyville, KY.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Nazareth Home Clifton, or your charity of choice.