Burkett was born in Los Angeles, California, USA, on 2 January 1914, to parents Oscar Ray Burkett (1887–1948) and Lois Pauline Davis (1889–1961). She had two younger sisters: Avarilla Rae Gentry (1916–1999) and Margaret Elizabeth Banks (1919–1984).

In her earlier years, she worked for Dr. Richard Clark Sr. during his practice. She spent several years as a researcher with the Veterans Administration. Thanks to her mother, she developed an interest in growing daylilies. She kept working in her daylily garden even as a centenarian.