Bunkie Burke Rivkin

Bunkie Burke Rivkin

Bunkie passed away peacefully at home on the morning of August, 31st, 2026 surrounded by love. 

Bunkie was born Mary Ellen Burke in Lincolnton, Georgia on March 27th, 1944 to parents John and Helen (née Davenport) Burke. She immediately received the nickname Bunkie, inspired by a cartoon, and it stuck until she made it permanent.

Bunkie married her high school sweetheart, Billy Ross, and together they welcomed their son, Jeff Ross. Following Billy’s passing, Bunkie was later married to James Richard (Jim/Rick/JR) Odum, with whom she shared her son Jay Russell. Though their marriage ended, they remained lifelong friends. In 1986, Bunkie found love again after answering a newspaper dating ad. She married Dr. Laurence (Larry) Rivkin in the backyard of their Dunwoody home. They spent 28 years making memories with their blended family and welcoming new members along the way. Together they volunteered in their community delivering Meals on Wheels and travelling all four corners of the world.

Bunkie is most legendary for first impressions. She could light up a room, and always had a kind word to remind you how special you are; she never met a stranger. Bunkie adored being “Bubba” to all her grandchildren. She attended countless recitals and events, hosted plenty of sleep-overs and road trips, and spent many afternoons at Chuck E Cheeses and the Atlanta Zoo. Following the tragic loss of her son, Jay, Bunkie became a champion for survivors of suicide, advocating for policy changes and black-box labels on medications.

Bunkie is survived by her son, Jeff Ross, and her daughter-in-love Tami; Candace and her husband David, Denise and her husband Bruno, and Phil and his wife Thida; her grandchildren, Peyton, Victor, Whitney, Rick, Galit, Tal, Dalia, Yuval, Kodiak, Jai; her great-grandchildren, Apollonia, Lucas, and Maryellen; her brother Bill and his wife Alana, along with their children Melanie, Bridgett, and Adam, and many great nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen Burke; her husbands, Billy Ross & Laurence (Larry) Rivkin; her son, Jay Odum; and granddaughter, Lexi. 

Bunkie’s family is incredibly grateful to those that popped in to visit with her over the years. They are especially grateful to the care team at Capstone Hospice and her primary caregiver Rachel Thibodeaux.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the family home in Dunwoody on Sunday, September 13th at 2pm in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Survivors of Suicide and to the Hydrocephalus Association (hydroassoc.org) to support Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus research and awareness.

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