Yetta Jane Burrell

Yetta Jane (nee Reiss) Burrell, 96, extraordinary mother, wife and friend to so many, died at her home on June 26, 2024. She was born in St. Louis, MO on May 17, 1928, the only child of the late Samuel R. and Edna L. (Heitert) Reiss.

Yetta had an amazing life. You might say she had three lives in one. The first found her in St. Louis, the only child of loving and adoring Jewish parents. She was raised in all the Jewish traditions. Her second life was with the father of her children, Richard Sanderbeck, and it was this life that brought her with her family from St. Louis to Valdosta, GA in 1963. She converted to Catholicism and raised her children in the faith as well. Yetta worked for 10 years at St. John Catholic Church and School in the roles of secretary, Art & P.E. teacher and volunteer.

Yetta’s best life started when she met and married Carl Burrell in 1975 after divorce from her children’s father. She was devoted to Carl and joined his faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were married nearly 49 years when Carl passed on Easter Sunday, 2024. They shared a passion for travel and enjoyed experiencing all the world had to offer. Together they traveled all over the USA, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. She would return home from her overseas travels with gifts for her grown children which her daughter used in her career as a Social Studies teacher.

Yetta was a supportive mother, wife and friend with a graceful, loving spirit, and a living example of turning the other cheek. She taught her children and all the Sanderbeck cousins how to swim. She was so accomplished in the kitchen as well, serving up incredible dinners and the best baked goods anyone ever tasted. She won a $500 prize one time for her original recipe of mini chocolate tarts called Midnight Delights. Filled with humility and kindness, she always had a smile on her face and enjoyed doing things for others without wanting any recognition. She imparted these virtues to her children, though they were lacking compared to her. To her children, she was the GOAT - the GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

She is survived by her children, Diane Sanderbeck and Scott Sanderbeck of Valdosta and Julie Shadrick, of St. Augustine, FL who is like a daughter to her. We are thankful for all the wonderful caregivers that helped us take care of mother in her home where she always wanted to stay. Special thanks to Ida Lane, Kayla Smith, Ave’anne Rowe and Cinthia Williams who were by our sides like family at the end.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, July 1, 2024 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10-11am. Burial will be held on Tuesday at 11am in Tallahassee National Cemetery. Online condolences may be conveyed at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home