Joan Rachel Jarrett Burgin

Joan Rachel Jarrett Burgin, 89 died on September 25, 2024 at her home in El Paso, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Ruby Jarrett of Marion, North Carolina, and her husband of 61 years, Charles McRae Burgin, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired. She is survived by their daughter, Amanda Burgin, also of El Paso.

In 1956, Joan graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College, now Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree and teacher certifications in High School English and All-Level Librarian.

Her husband's military career with duty assignments in France, Germany, Texas, Kentucky, Colorado, and Oklahoma with family and other assignments without family led her to her own varied work history. At different times in her hometown of Marion, she was an English teacher at Glenwood High School, Librarian at McDowell County Public Library, and area Crew Leader for the 1960 Census. Later, she was the Special Services Librarian at Ireland Army Hospital, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

After her husband's three tours of duty at Ft. Bliss, the family decided to make their home in El Paso in 1976 and her last, and most enjoyable work, was as Librarian for eighteen years at Canyon Hills Middle School, EPISD.

Joan willed her body to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. When her ashes are returned, they will join those of her beloved husband in the columbarium at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

There will be a Memorial Service from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes- East, 750 N. Carolina. Memorial donations may be made to the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, The Humane Society of El Paso, or your favorite charity.

The family would like to thank Hospice of El Paso, especially Jessica, for nine months of excellent care.