Direka Renee Burnell

Direka Renee Martin Burnell was born to Dirah and Blake Martin on October 1, 1969. She was a loving child who’s smile could light up a room and was the center of her parent’s world along with her siblings.

Direka loved reading and learning which was the catalyst for her lifelong passion, helping children learn, grow, and excel. After graduating from North Forsyth High School in 1987, she attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, as a member of the first class of NC Teaching Fellows. During the summer of 1994, she attended the Capital Area Writing Project at North Carolina State University. Direka attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1997 with a degree in school administration. Direka was a dynamic teacher who taught grades 1-5 during her career. She has been credited for setting high expectations for her students and working to create an innovative and engaging classroom environment. She became an Assistant Principal in Wake County, NC and never stopped advocating for students. Direka was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In 2003 she met Derrick Burnell, and they were married on February 13, 2004. From 2004 to 2008, they fostered ten children from 2 days old to age 16. They welcomed Desmond and Diamond into their lives, and they started their journey as a family. As a wife and mother, she set the bar high. She pushed Desmond and Diamond to be their best no matter what life threw at them. As a wife her support was never-ending. The conversations she and Derrick would have could be as simple as what’s for dinner to world hunger. Her warm heart and caring kindness will be missed by all. Direka was an extraordinary woman. She was motivated by her love for her family and friends. She could be out of touch with someone for stretches of time and their conversations would resume like they just spoke yesterday. Her compassion to help people was always present even more so in the last few years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Blake Martin and Dirah Martin and her brother Derick Martin.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Minister Derrick L. Burnell; son, Desmond Burnell, daughter, Diamond Burnell; sisters, De’Amber Martin (nephew, Derick Martin, nieces; Dreeya and Draya Johnson) and Dimetria Martin, nieces; Dirah S. Martin, Dierra Martin (Nicole, Great niece; Aniyah-Nicole, Great nephew; Dierre Martin), and De’Coya Martin; (great nieces; Camryn and Camille Wilson) Stepdaughter; Shanisha Walker (Milford), stepson; Derrick L. Burnell, II. She also leaves her aunt, Linda Williams (Dallas), three uncles, Jerry Wilkins (Audrey), Benjamin Jones and Apostle Theophilus Jones (Apostle Valarie), mother-in-law; Barbara Burnell, sister-in-law; Tasha Burnell, cousins, Latia Williams (Ferrell, Little Linda), Trevie Butler and a host of family and friends.

Direka and her family moved back to Winston Salem for one reason. Her heart was focused on bringing her splintered family back together as one whole unit. This is who she was…loving, caring, and family focused.

A memorial service for Direka will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Vogler Funerals and Cremations at Forsyth, 3815 Yadkinville Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27106.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com for the Burnell family.