Michel'le Nichole Burke

Michel’le Burke was born on May 17, 1993, in Columbus, Ohio, to Jinnifer Burke and Michael Burke. She passed away on September 18, 2026, in Pickerington, Ohio, at the age of 33.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Damon and Josephine DeWitt, Paul and Clara Smith; her grandparents, Joyce Pittman, Alice Burke, and Ira Burke; her uncles, Keith Burke, Jeffrey Burke, and Monte Pittman; and her cousins, Shannon Burke and Liberti Burke.

A beautiful, creative, and incredibly talented soul, she expressed herself through art in countless forms. She was an artist, poet, co-author of a book called The Fire From Her Crown, songwriter, and spoken word performer who shared her gifts through open mics and her writing. Her creativity extended beyond words and art into interior decorating. With an eye for beauty and originality, she could transform a space. She had her own amazing style and a way of making everything uniquely hers.

She was also a woman with dreams for her future. Before her passing, she had enrolled in school with the goal of becoming a lawyer. She was preparing to pursue a path that reflected her determination, intelligence, compassion for others, and desire to make a difference. Though she was not given the opportunity to complete that journey, the dream itself spoke to the vision she had for her life and the woman she was continuing to become.

Athletic and fond of the outdoors, she had a special love for nature and animals especially the wild animals she encountered, which she was known to name as though they were her own little friends.

She had a big heart and loved deeply. She was known for uplifting everyone she came in contact with, leaving people feeling encouraged, seen, and cared for. She cared about people who were struggling and had a special place in her heart for helping the homeless. When she loved someone, she loved wholeheartedly. She was kind and giving to those she held close and fiercely devoted to her family.

Above all, she loved her children, Tsimon Harding, Tsimaya Harding, and Isabella Burke. She was the kind of mother who made sure her children ate before she ate herself. Their needs came before her own, and her love for them was immeasurable.

She loved her sisters deeply. Their bond was filled with love, laughter, and memories and, of course, her firm belief that her sisters’ clothes and shoes were available for her to “borrow.” She was funny, goofy, playful, and a prankster who knew how to make the people around her laugh.

She also shared a very special bond with her favorite niece, Avaya Rizo. She loved spending time with Avaya and making memories with her, including taking her to football games. Their time together was special, and the love they shared will remain a treasured part of Avaya’s life and memories of her aunt.

A firm believer in Christ, her faith was an important part of who she was. Her life reflected a woman who felt deeply, loved hard, created freely, laughed loudly, uplifted others, and gave from her heart.

She leaves to cherish her memory her three beloved children, Tsimon Harding, Tsimaya Harding, and Isabella Burke; her parents, Jinnifer Burke and Michael Burke; her sisters, Trinette Gills, Tamika Gills, Natalie Billups, Angela Steward, Debra Burke, Jameela Burgett, and Montekqua Burke; her beloved niece, Avaya Rizo; and a host of grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, friends, and loved ones.

Though her life ended far too soon, the love, creativity, encouragement, laughter, and memories she gave to those around her remain. Her words remain. Her art remains. Her love remains. The pieces of herself that she poured into her children, her family, and everyone whose life she touched will continue to live on.

She was an artist in the truest sense not only in what she created, but also in the way she lived, loved, uplifted others, dreamed for her future, and left pieces of herself everywhere she went.

She will be deeply loved, forever remembered, and greatly missed.