Joan Edwards Burnett, 86, passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2025, after a brief illness—though she would’ve argued it felt plenty long enough, thank you.
Born in Fountain City, Tennessee, and later raising her family in Piney Flats, Joan was a lifelong Tennessean.
Joan had a sarcastic sense of humor, a laugh that could fill a room, and opinions as sharp as her wit. She watched so much HGTV and Magnolia Network that she spoke of the stars like they were next-door neighbors—albeit neighbors whose design choices she regularly questioned. She hated cooking with the fire of a thousand suns, but she loved shopping, reading, and going out to eat
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Rudy Burnett; her brothers Ronnie and Sam Edwards; her sister Sandy Edwards Crussell; and her parents, Charles and Margaret Edwards.
She leaves behind her greatest treasures: her son, John Burnett III—her “pride”; her daughter, Emily Burnett Mensch—her “joy”; and her son-in-law Chad, who she lovingly referred to by a name we can’t print (but rest assured, it was said with deep affection… most of the time).
Joan absolutely adored her grandchildren: Hannah Golan Burnett and her husband Nathan Guttmann, Jacob Golan Burnett, and her perfect-in-every-way great-granddaughter, Meira “Mimi” Guttmann.
To her many nieces and nephews, Joan was the one you hoped would pick up the phone when you called “sick” from school. She’d welcome you in, make you a bed on the couch, turn on “The Price is Right” and make you the cure-all meal of chicken noodle soup & a grilled cheese sandwich. Those nieces and nephews include: Denny Malone, Jason & Kerry Crussell, Heather Crussell & Brian Norris, Kelly & Jack Wakefield, Shannon & Wes Cowden, Valerie & Matt Sewell, Jane & Dennis Nations, and Susan Loper.
She also leaves behind her brother-in-law (and “unofficial second son”) Lynn Crussell, who she loved so very much. And her best friend JoAnn Crussell, who was her travel buddy, her shopping companion and most often her co-conspirator in hijinks and shenanigans
The family wishes to thank the wonderful team at Smoky Mountain Hospice, especially Melissa, Katie, and Holly, who didn’t just provide exceptional care—they became part of the family. Joan adored them, and they made her days so much brighter
And an extra special thank you to Heather Crussell and Amy Stewart, the Mom-Sitters club. You had an unsurpassed ability to spoil her rotten
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a future date, once her delightfully scattered family can get themselves in one place
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Second Harvest Food Bank or your local food pantry. Joan often worried about how families could afford groceries these days, and nothing would make her happier than knowing a few more kids went to bed full because of her.