Chikako "Yoko" Burkett

Chikako “Yoko” Burkett passed away at the age of 87, on the morning of Monday, December 25, 2023. Yoko was born in Kagoshima-ken, Japan on October 7, 1936, the daughter of Toraichi Yasu and Shige Yuwai. She was married to John William “Bill” Burkett for 64 years. They married on May 27, 1959 in Okinawa Japan, while Bill was serving in the Air Force. They moved Stateside in March 1960 and came to Maryville, Tennessee to be close to Bill’s family. Yoko became a United States Citizen on April 3, 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. She would teach herself to read and write to better understand the Bible. Her greatest achievement in her eyes was being an Apostolic/Pentecostal Sunday School Teacher for 42 years, a choir member, and faithful Saint of God for over 59 years. Yoko was an amazing self-taught seamstress, having made hundreds of wedding gowns for family, friends, as well as celebrity news anchors in Arizona. She also made countless ball gowns for Miss Arizona Pageants and eventually Miss America Pageants. Yoko is survived in death by her husband, Bill Burkett; son, Donald L Burkett; 3 Grandchildren, Darrian, Brendon (Brittany), and Kameron Burkett; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Archibold, Magnolia, and Muriel Burkett; many nieces and nephews along with being a bonus Grandmother to countless children at her church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to First Apostolic Church of Maryville, 1331 Williams Blount Drive, Maryville, TN 37801 made out to Bill Burkett to help with expenses. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday, December 29, 2023 at First Apostolic Church of Maryville. Funeral service will be directly following at 7:00 PM with Pastor Kenneth Carpenter officiating. The Interment will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday December 30, 2023 at Maryville Baptist Tabernacle Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com