Eunice Burnett

Eunice "Irene" Burnett, 86, of Carthage, passed away at 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at her home. She was born Nov. 15, 1922, in Purdy, Mo. She was the daughter of Luther Jackson and Pauline (Todd) Jackson. Irene retired as manager of the Strafford Tower Motel in Tulsa, Okla. She also worked for many years as cashier at McCune Brooks Hospital and was owner of the Southside. After the death of her two sons to Cystic Fibrosis, she authored the book "Searching for a Miracle". She was a former member of the Soroptimist's of Carthage, ABWA and campaigned for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald Ballard in 1972; two sons, Larry Ballard and Terry Ballard; and one sister, Maureen Buck. She is survived by her husband, Gene Burnett; daughters, Pam Ross and husband, Phillip, of Carthage, Patricia Hanson and husband, John, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Geri Morris and husband, Tom, of St. Cloud, Fla.; one sister, Jody Roberson, of Richmond, Mo.; and eight grandchildren, Danny (Sarah) Ross, of Carthage, Debbie (Jim) Cherry, Nixa, Mo., Dianna (Bill) Chamberlain, Noel, Mo., Donya (Kirby) Newport, Springfield, Mo., Tammy (Tony) Gongliewski, Eagle River, Alaska, Laura Godenzi, Anchorage, Sundy (Tom) Roche, Westbrook, Maine, and J. R. (Michelle) Winder, New Castle, N.H. She also had 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. at the Ulmer Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, of Carthage. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.