CONWAY, NC – Mrs. Joan Barnes Burgess, age 81, of Conway, passed away on April 11, 2016 at her residence.

Mrs. Burgess was born on May 27, 1934 to Clarence and Lois Newsome Barnes in Northampton County, NC. Joan was a member of Conway Baptist Church. She was a registered nurse for forty-two years before retiring from Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Joan was dedicated to caring for others and she, along with other retired nurses that she worked with, would meet on the first Thursday of every month at the Pizza Inn as long as her health permitted. She enjoyed her flowers and spending time with her family. Her only grandchild, Brittany, was the apple of her eye. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Along with her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Levi Burgess.

Left to cherish Joan’s memory is her two sons, Gene Burgess and his wife Patricia, and Mark Burgess, and her granddaughter, Brittany Burgess, all of Conway.

The family received friends on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, NC.

A celebration of life funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Conway Baptist Church, Conway, NC, with the Rev. Willie McLawhorn officiating. Burial followed at Conway Cemetery, Conway, NC.

The Burgess family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Roberta Gibson, Dean Vaughan, Lorraine Pierce, Dwanda Green, Northampton County Home Health Care, and Community Home Care and Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Care and Hospice, 525-A Becker Drive, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements for the Burgess family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.