Joan Burkett Keller, of Brandon, Mississippi, went to be with the Lord, in Heaven, on January 20, 2023. She passed peacefully at St. Dominic Hospital, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Joan was born on September 26, 1935, in Hopewell, Mississippi, to the late Earl Burkett, Sr. and the late Mavis Holden Burkett. Her best friend and brother, Earl “Sonny” Burkett, Jr., also proceeds her in Heaven. The family is at peace knowing that she is happy to be reunited to her Momma, Pappy, and dear brother.
She is also proceeded in Heaven by her late husband, E.J. Keller of Osyka, MS. She is survived by her two daughters, Joni Burkett Keller of Brandon, MS, and Tracy Keller Wilson, and her favorite son in law, George Wilson, of Milton, FL. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Whitney VanGorder (Brandon VanGorder) of Benton, MS, Megan Wardle of Milton, Florida, and MacKenzie Welborn of Brandon, MS, and also six great grandchildren, Hayes Sills, Holdyn Eisenberg, Addalyn VanGorder, Delta Blake VanGorder, Xander Steed and Lily Denne.
Aside from her immediate family, she was like a mother to her many nieces and nephews, including Sonny Burkett, III (whom she called her “adopted” son), Wendy Burkett Crumbley, Terri Burkett May, and the late Randy “Red” Robbins. She also had several great nieces and nephews she loved dearly, Jill Farmer, Lacey Farmer, Cass Biggers, Kaylen Smith and her children, Arabella, Luke, and Gunner.
She was “JoJo” to more than just family, which included many family friends. She loved her family and friends more than anything in this world.
Joan’s life was full of love and laughter. When she was a young girl, she spent most of her time getting in trouble with her older brother, Sonny. Together, they could do anything. She grew up in rural Brandon, MS and attended Brandon High School, where she met many life long friends. She loved all things outdoors, and was an avid dove hunter. After she married E.J., she enjoyed a multitude of things including fishing, joining a bowling team, and she was even an active member of the Moose Lodge. She loved to work on daily crossword puzzles, read books, devotionals, and watch her soap operas on television. As she became older, she gained an outstanding collection of frogs, mostly gifted to her by her loved ones. She was truly one of a kind. She worked for many years as a lingerie specialist at McRae’s Department Store at Metrocenter Mall in Jackson, MS until the store’s closing, and then worked at Albertson’s Grocery Store in Brandon, MS until her retirement. Within those two careers, she became acquainted with several friends who she cherished dearly. She lived a beautiful, long, and fruitful life.
Joan “JoJo” was loved and cherished by so many. We will forever miss the light she brought to this world and move forward remembering all the special memories we shared with her.
Per Joan’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral home service. Family and close friends are invited to attend the graveside service at 1:00, on the afternoon of January 23, 2023 at Oakdale Cemetery, located in Brandon, Mississippi.
The family would like for anyone who wishes to send flowers, to please donate funds to the National Kidney Foundation in lieu of the flowers (www.kidney.org).
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