Fay Burkes Sorrill, formerly of Solomons, Maryland passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022, in Wilora Lake Healthcare, Charlotte, North Carolina. Born March 24, 1933 in East Point, Kentucky, she was the eldest daughter of Charles Sheridan Burke and Edna Owens Burke. Fay is survived by her daughter, Donna Carnahan; and her grandchildren Jennifer Carnahan, Ashley Radano (Carnahan), and Aaron Carnahan, as well as her beloved great granddaughter Ella Radano. She is also survived by her sisters, Shelby Thomas, Delores Dishner (Tommy), Mary Honaker (James) and Mickey McGlynn (Joseph) and her brother Charles Burke Jr. (Sandy).

When Fay graduated from Grundy High School she decided to leave home and move to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Government. With her excellent academic record and strong character she was chosen to work at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Once in D.C. Fay joined Congress Heights Baptist Church where she became a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir. On the day she joined the church the associate minister, Harold William Sorrill, Jr., gave a sermon on the girl he would like to marry. With the timing, Harold often joked that she volunteered for the job. They were married on May 17, 1958, in the very church where they met. She and Harold dedicated themselves to full-time ministry.

In 1961, Harold was called to active duty in the navy as a chaplain. He was sent overseas with the 3rd Marine Battalion in advance of the Vietnam War. That same year Fay and Harold were blessed with their daughter, Donna. Later in their Naval career, Fay joined Harold on a tour in Japan, where Fay served as an active member of the Officer's Wives Club, and hosted many Japanese Bible study classes. The language barrier never kept her from reaching out to the community and entertaining guests. Her favorite memories of Japan were spent learning all she could about the cuisine, customs and local religions.

Upon returning to the United States, the young family moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. When Harold was called by Clinton Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland the family commuted to the church. When Donna finished school, they moved to Clinton where they lived until Harold retired. Fay served as the pastor's wife of Clinton Baptist Church for 25 years. In those years she taught Sunday School, organized many special events, and was active in the Women's Missionary Union.

Later, Fay worked for the school system, first as an administrative assistant at Clinton Grove Elementary, and then for the Central office of the Prince Georges County School System as Office Manager for the Public Affairs Division. There she became known as the "voice" of the announcements to the schools until her retirement.

Fay was a woman of strong faith, demonstrating it daily. Throughout her life, she devoted her time to teaching Sunday School even in her Assisted Living Facility, where she led an extremely popular weekly bible study session. Even in her last days, the nursing facility staff could see her faith clearly through their interactions with her. She always strived to witness through her actions.

Family always meant the world to her. She raised her daughter and helped with daycare for her grandchildren and great grandchild. With her ceaseless energy she organized scholarship applications, volunteered with the school, chaperoned field trips, provided workbooks during summer vacation, volunteered in Girl Scout and Boy Scout activities, she even was a counselor at Girl Scout Camp.

Her boundless energy and enthusiasm for life were evidence for all to see. She loved wildlife and often recounted tales to her family of what she had witnessed. Fay could very rarely be found sitting still. Even well into her eighties she could be found walking around Solomons Island with her granddaughter.

A celebration of Fay's life will be held on February 12, 2022 at 11:00 am. The service will be held in the sanctuary of Lexington Park Baptist Church in Lexington Park, Maryland. All are invited to attend as social-distancing and masks will be encouraged. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lexington Park Baptist Church, 46855 S Shangri La Drive, Lexington Park, Md., 20653 or Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, Md., 20622.