Click here to view the service of Deaconess Iona Elizabeth Brooks Burnette
Deaconess Iona Elizabeth Brooks Burnette transitioned from her earthly life on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at her home in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, with her loving family by her side. She was born on March 25, 1933, in Gaston, North Carolina, and was the second child of Levi Brooks and Flora Hicks Brooks.
Iona was blessed with parents who taught their children about the goodness of God and how to serve others. She was born into a family that serves the Lord and into a community with love and compassion for everyone. As a child, Iona accepted the Lord as her Savior and became a member of the family church, Gaston Baptist Church, Gaston, North Carolina. She later became a dedicated servant at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Littleton, North Carolina, and was active in many ways to support the mission of the church and to share her nurturing spirit with the church family.
Iona received her formal education in the Halifax County Public School System. She attended the former Print Elementary School in the Summit Community of Littleton, North Carolina, and John Armstrong Chaloner High School in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team.
Iona was married for sixty-three years to her devoted, kind and loving husband, Deacon Charlie Louis Burnette, who preceded her in death on December 26, 2014. They were always a warm, caring and giving couple who enjoyed being together while raising their seven children with Christian values. Iona exemplified the true essence of laughter, dignity, and wisdom. She would often repeat Psalm 23 for meditation and always put her complete trust in the Heavenly Father, who carried her through the years.
The life Iona shared with others included her amazing culinary skills, preparing and sharing meals with others, and the social entertainment in her home. The doors were always open as a gathering place for family, friends, and anyone she knew. “Home” was a place very special to Iona’s heart. It was where she cared for her children and others throughout her life. She loved gardening her many varieties of flowers, bird watching, decorating, and conversing with family and friends who would often drop in to chat and eat with the family. Her home was a place of laughter and music. She was lovingly known as “The Queen”.
In addition to her parents and husband, Iona was preceded in death by her precious daughter, Florine “Rina” Burnette; her siblings, Martha Lou Brooks Bush and Annie Brooks O’Farrow; and her nephew, Walter Daniel.
The sweet devoted memories of Iona's life, and the legacy of her unwavering love will be forever treasured by her endeared children: Marilynn Walls (Dr. Bertram) of Charlotte, NC, Viola Harris (Mike) of Williamsburg, VA, Linda Kearney of Capitol Heights, MD, Joan Ivey of Hampton, VA, Kathy Powell (Ricky) of Brandywine, MD, and Charles Ray Burnette (Shirley) of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her grandchildren: Dr. Morgan Walls-Perkins (Enrico) of Charlotte, NC, Dr. Byran E. Walls (Courtney) of Woodstock, GA, Daron Harris of Williamsburg, VA, Nina Harris of Reston, VA, Dr. Kesha Rooks (Ricardo) of Roanoke Rapids, NC, James “Dion” Harrison (Christina) of Lakeland, FL, Dr. Jonathan Kearney (Dr. Lakeisha) of Houston, TX, Lela Kearney of Capitol Heights, MD, Corrana Thompson and Mikel Thompson of Hampton, VA, Fiona Powell and Kendrick Powell of Brandywine, MD, Teresa Burnette of Greensboro, NC, and Patrese Jarrell of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her great-grandchildren: Erik Rooks of Greensboro, NC, Destiny Rooks Boone (Christian) of Whitsett, NC, Laila Kearney and Caleb Kearney of Houston, TX, Matthew Wright of Capitol Heights, MD, Giovanna Harrison of Lakeland, FL, Harley Harris of Greensboro, NC, Micah Perkins of Charlotte, NC, and Nikolas Walls of Woodstock, GA; her great-great-grandchildren: Nylah Boone of Whitsett, NC, and Raelynn Britt of Conway, NC; her beloved sisters-in-law, Hazel Mills of Fort Washington, MD, Lois Burnette of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and Peggy Daniel of Newport News, VA; her brothers-in-law, John Henry Burnette (Mary Frances) of Oxon Hill, MD, and Jessie Burnette of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her nieces and nephews: Linda Daniel Thompson (Martin) and Gloria Edmonds of Fort Washington, MD, Angela Jones (Bruce) of White Plains, MD, Leon Edmonds (Kathy) of Bowie, MD, Marvin Mills (Vanessa) of Clinton, MD, Tawanna Burnette, Karen Burnette, and Pamela Burnette all of Roanoke Rapids, NC, David Burnette of Warrenton, NC, Toni Burnette of Halifax, NC, Laura Brinkley of Raleigh, NC, Sheila White of Upper Marlboro, MD, Sharissa Pendleton of Newport News, VA, and Horace Andrea’ Burnette of Baltimore, MD; the Brooks, Moody, and Vincent families of Gaston, NC; her devoted friends, Ophelia Gould-Faison and Cynthia Hardy of Littleton, NC, and Clara Shearin of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her neighbor, Gail White of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her caregiver, Annie Henderson of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and many other cherished relatives and extended friends.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 12:00 noon until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service hour at the Oak Grove Baptist Church, 10614 US Highway 158, Littleton, NC. Rev. Dr. C. E. McCullom is the Pastor, Rev. Dr. Mark Barfield will deliver the eulogy, and Rev. Danny Jones will preside. Burial will follow in the Burnette Family Cemetery, 5665 Thelma Road, Roanoke Rapids, NC.
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