Nell E. Burney

Clarksville, VA Nell Watts Burney, wife of the late Ivan Thomas Burney, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022, at the age of 94. Born in Halifax County, VA, on February 19, 1928, she was the daughter of the late William Carson and Ethel Fallen Watts. Nell earned an associate degree in Business from Montreat College in North Carolina in 1948, married in 1950, spent several years in Dallas, TX, and Kansas City, KS, before settling in Pittsburgh, PA in 1960. Nell will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. A nurturer by nature, she excelled as a caregiver, whether it be to family, friends, plants or her beloved backyard birds. She was an animal lover and always enjoyed visiting with the family pets. While a Pittsburgh, PA resident, Nell enjoyed trips to visit her Keysville family. She valued looking her best and always dressed stylishly. Nell was a successful and competitive bowler, a Life Master bridge player and diehard Steelers fan. She is survived by her children, Connie Topham (Bill) and Glenn Burney (Mary); grandchildren, David Topham (Emily), Lauren Gulak (Jason) and James Burney; great grandchildren, Ava, Brooks and Henry Topham and Caroline and William Gulak; siblings, Albert Watts and Polly Beard as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Nell was preceded in death by her brothers, Cecil and Franklin Watts. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Ontario Christian Church Cemetery, 175 Old Kings Rd, Drakes Branch, VA with her brother, Albert Watts, officiating. Flowers are welcomed by the family. Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burney family and offers online condolences as well as many other resources by visiting our website, www.wclfh.com or by going to our Facebook page.