Joyce Marie (Jo) Burks, 71, of 411 Chalybeate St., Iron Gate, Virginia, died Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

She was born August 1, 1937, a daughter of the late Melvin Noel Burks and Pattie Keene Burks.

She attended the Church of God of Prophecy in Iron Gate, attended Central High School and was a retired employee of ITT in Roanoke.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty Burks and Charlotte Bush; a brother, Melvin Burks Jr.; and a niece, Katherine DePriest.

She is survived by two sisters: Opal Kincaid of Low Moor, and Ramona DePriest of Eagle Rock; two brothers: William Ellis "Billy" Burks of Clifton Forge, and Cecil Burks of Low Moor; a large number of nieces and nephews and many close friends and co-workers from ITT in Roanoke.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of God of Prophecy in Iron Gate with the Rev. Edith Snedegar officiating. Interment will follow in the Emory United Methodist Church Cemetery in Natural Well, Virginia.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, and at other times at the residence of Ramona DePriest, 460 Simmons Lane, Eagle Rock, Virginia.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to The Church of God of Prophecy, Iron Gate, Virginia 24448. To send condolences, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com