Mildred JoAnn Merix Burnett

Mildred JoAnn Merix Burnett, 82, of Riner, VA formerly of Narrows, VA went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 11, 2021. She was born in Giles County on July 10, 1939.  Waiting to welcome her to Heaven was her husband, soulmate, and love of her life Larry Everett Burnett, her dad and mom George Washington Merix and Sally Agnes McGuire Merix, her brother and sister-in-law John Edward and Martha Merix, as well as a host of other family and friends.  She was affectionately known to family as Mom, Mawmaw, Gramma, Gramma Jo, Momma Jo, and Aunt Jo and to her friends she was affectionately known as Jo.  After dedicating her life to her children, she found the love of her life, Larry and they spent the next 21 years dedicated to each other. They enjoyed camping and spending time at Hungry Mother Park and the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Larry was able to show Jo a life that she had never seen before, and you didn’t see one without the other. She especially enjoyed traveling with him in his job as a truck driver. She spoke lovingly of their adventures and missed him dearly after his passing.  Left to cherish her legacy and memory are her children Shaun and Cherie Merix of Riner, VA, with whom she made her home, Stephanie and Lynn Carroll of Salem, VA, and Mike and Crystal Wilson of Ripplemead, VA. She is also survived by her brother, Fred and Lisa Merix of Ripplemead, VA, as well as her sisters-in-law, Donna Sue Wolfe and Floretta Terry. Jo was blessed with and adored her 6 grandchildren Chandra Lowe, Candace Merix (Cory), Ciji Good (Kip), Savannah Wilson, Ryan Metz, and Michael Lee Wilson. She also adored her 5 great grandchildren Kirsten Flight, Torian Quesenberry, Tristan and Zoey Merix, and Raelyn Good.  Also, left are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Mike Brackenrich and staff, Dr. Goldschmidt and staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, and the Emergency Department and 4th floor staff at Lewis Gale Montgomery for taking such good care of her.  Family will receive friends at Givens-Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, VA on October 14, 2021, from 11:00am until service time at 1:00pm with Pastor Merle Hedrick officiating. A private burial will take place at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA .  Flowers are appreciated; however, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting their website www.stjude.org or Ronald McDonald House at 2224 South Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24014. Both organizations were near and dear to Jo and Larry.  The family is being served by Givens – Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.