Gabrielle Lanette Burns
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Gabrielle "Gabby" Lanette (Gibson) Burns, a cherished spouse, loving mother, beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter. Gabby was loyal, loving, and the most selfless woman anyone had ever known. On September 3, 2023, our hearts were shattered as we said a painful goodbye to Gabby, who left the earthly world far too soon. However, her spirit and love will live on within her family forever.
Gabby was born on August 20, 1993, in Harrisonburg, Virginia and grew up in Grottoes. A dedicated stay-at-home mom, Gabby found immense joy and fulfillment in caring for her precious family in the Lyndhurst area. Her role as a mother to her two sons, Issac and Landon, and her two daughters Kayden and Autumn, was her highest calling. Gabby's unwavering dedication and unconditional love shone brightly through her work as a mother and as an at-home nurse.
She was a cherished and devoted spouse to her beloved husband of nine years (together for thirteen) Charley Burns; a daughter of Dale Gibson and step-daughter of Amanda Gibson of Craigsville; Daughter of Tammy Connolly of Staunton; She was an amazing sister to DJ Gibson of Crimora and his fiance Naomi Ritchie. Her grandparents, Karen Sites and Ruth Connolly, were her world. She was a sister-in-law to Matthew Burns and Michell Burns both of Monterey. She is also survived by her parents-in-law, Glenda and Phillip Burns of Monterey, who held a deep bond of love and support. She was preceded in death by her sweet Uncle Tony Fillaccio and her “Papal” Bruce (Rusty) Tate. Gabby loved her bonus family Tosha and Richard Ritchie, Savannah and Christian Alford, and Justin Alford.
Gabby (Sissy), was someone that kept her circle small and her feelings big. She was always asking what she could do for others, especially her family. You could expect a phone call from her almost daily just to talk about something random. She made sure to call her grandma Karen at least five times a day and would keep her on the phone for hours on end. Her Grandma Ruth was her sidekick and her Grandma Karen was her best friend. Karen always thought of Gabs as a daughter more than a granddaughter as Rusty and Karen helped raise her and they shared everything with one another. Whether she wanted to watch scary movies (especially Scream) or do crafts, Gabby was always down.
She was so proud of her husband and all of his accomplishments. From what he fixed at work to talking about their kids, she hung on to his every word. There was not a day that went by where she did not brag on Charley or her kids. Charley is the reason Gabby felt unconditional love and loyalty. In their free time, she loved bear hunting with Charley and his family and their friends in Monterey every single season. There was nothing better than seeing her face light up when her boys both got a bear on the same day. Her calendar was full of start and end dates for every hunting season known to Virginia. Her avid love for the hunt kept her and their family busy every Fall.
Her brother DJ was her pride and joy. She was always so happy to see him accomplish anything and was always there to catch him when he fell. From a young age, Gabby became like a mother to Dee and she made sure he had everything he needed in life. She would give him the best advice and make sure to send him on his way laughing. When they were together, the rest of the world was obsolete; they only needed each other. Their bond has never been broken and could never be replaced. There are no two siblings on earth who loved each other as much as them. When DJ met Naomi, Gabby immediately invited her in and they quickly became inseparable. She coined Naomi as Aunt “Omi” years before DJ even proposed.
Truly there was no better love than Gab’s loyal and caring dedication to you. She takes a huge piece of everyone’s heart with her and leaves a hole in their lives. There is no one who could do what she did for her kids and family on a daily basis. Autumn never left her hip, Kayden was her shadow, Landon was her heart, and Issac was her rock who never left her side and was her first baby, the one to make her a Mama. Those babies were her sun, moon, and stars.
In remembrance of Gabby, the family asks that you be kind. Give your family some extra love, kiss your babies, your animals, and hug your loved ones tight. Give them a phone call just to tell them about how big the moon is going to be later or just to say I love you.
We love you Gabby, forever and always.
No formal service is scheduled at this time for Gabby.
Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Grottoes is entrusted with arrangements.
