Violet Burns Obituary

Violet Renee Burns, 67, of Paragould, Arkansas, formerly of Piggott, Arkansas, passed away July 28, 2025.

She was born on March 25, 1958, in Flint, Michigan, and was the daughter of the late Bobby Joe Burns and Doris (Carson) Burns Spinks.

Renee was preceded in death by her brother, Barry Burns; two nieces, Shala and Heaven Wofford; and nephew, Andy Wofford.

She is survived by her two sons, Darris Burns (Ryann) and Morgan Burns; grandchildren: MaKalia Schmidt (Forrest), Josh Rose, Javier Rose, Joel Rose, Darris Burns, Jr., Emily Benitez, Kai Darrington, Silas Tramarchi, and Reux Burns; great grandchildren: McKinley, Westyn, and Amelia; brothers, Bobby Burns (Kathy) and Jackie Burns (Brenda); sister, Tonnie Bateman; and many other relatives and friends.

Violet Renee Burns was a friend, a colleague, a giver, someone on which you could always depend. Most of all, she was a loyal and loving Mother and Grandmother until her final breath.

Her name was Violet, but only a few people in her life got away with calling her by her first name. Most everyone knew her as Renee. In her early years, she was a tom-boy, a Class President at Greenway High School of the Class of 1976, and a carhop at A&W drive-in. Renee wasn't your average woman. She was a member of the of the Arkansas Army National Guard. She graduated from Black River Vo-Tech with a degree in auto body repair earning valedictorian honors with her work partner. She continued her education earning an Associates Degree in Drafting and Manufacturing from TRCC in Poplar Bluff, MO and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri graduating with honors at both schools. She was the President of the SEMO chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Renee also gave televised speeches and seminars teaching single mothers how to budget, save, and manage their household, something that she and her family are still proud. Renee was stubborn and hard headed, but that was mostly a confused interpretation of her ambition and might. If there was a solution , she was going to find it whether it was fixing a problem in a factory or putting food on the table. She loved working hard and earning everything she ever had. She held many different titles, roles and positions in her life in including working on Mack trucks and in the oil fields of New Mexico and West Texas, managing many different restaurants, factories, stores, and even owning and operating a few businesses as well. One of her favorite jobs by far was cooking on the riverboats of the Mississippi River, its tributaries and even the Gulf of America. She loved arts and crafts. There wasn't anything she couldn't design. She had her own way of doing things and if she didn't know something, no one was stopping her from figuring it out. She also had a love for cooking, gadgets, knick-knacks, antiques and clocks. Out of all the things that she accomplished in her life, she was most proud and supportive of her boys and her grandchildren. Her door was always open to someone in need, she always helped out when she could, even if she didn't know you, and if you were hungry, you would always be fed if it was up to her. She leaves a lasting legacy of hope, faith, goodwill, honor and loyalty.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Hoggard & Sons Chapel with David Finley officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Josh Rose, Javier Rose, Joel Rose, Darris Burns, Jr., Morgan Burns, and Darris Burns, Sr. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is Saturday from 10 a.m until 12:00 p.m.