Margarite L. Burns entered into eternal rest with Jesus on January 1, 2024 after a brief fight against pancreatic cancer. Margarite was born in 1937 in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Syria. She was one of 8 children.  She is survived by her two children, Michelle Jacobs and Michael Jacobs, who she adored from the moment they were born.

In the early 1970s, Margarite became the owner of Lee Personnel.  Margarite had a passion for helping people find jobs and she was remarkable at her craft.  Margarite helped thousands of people find remarkable careers and "the butterfly effect" from her work is vast and her impact will live on in various stories told by those she touched.

Margarite's heart for the poor was also amazing to witness.  She arranged for a medical clinic to be built with a maternity wing, financed the drilling of a borehole which provided water for the clinic and the adjacent village, purchased medical equipment for maternity clinics, financed a water system for a girls' high school and built two primary school classrooms in Kenya for the Masai. She (and subsequently with her granddaughters) purchased and delivered hundreds of coats, gloves, hats and shoes to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church's soup kitchen in Newport News, Virginia. She would stop in the street for anyone who looked hungry or cold and help them and she donated generously to Hope for Haiti in Naples, Florida, Lackey Free Clinic in Yorktown, Virginia, Foundation for Children in Need in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Williamsburg House of Mercy in Williamsburg, Virginia, Heart for Orphans in Williamsburg, Virginia and a multitude of charities who support caring for the poor.

Margarite retired in 2001 and soon met dear Alan Meilinger, her partner of the last 20 years. They traveled extensively spending time in Door County WI, Naples, FL and Williamsburg VA.

Margarite was an extremely talented artist and her talent allowed her to attend Savanah School of Art and Design.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, a brother and 2 sisters, her first husband Robert (Jake) Jacobs, her second husband, Don Burns, her partner Alan Meilinger and her infant son Robbie.

She leaves behind her cherished daughter Michelle Jacobs (Graydon), her loving son Michael Jacobs (Claire) and her beloved granddaughters (whom she taught to play poker at a very young age) Alexandra Naughton (Jake) and Rebecca Jacobs (fiancé Jon-they will be married March 2024). Her legacy of generosity still continues today through her children and her granddaughters.

The family would like to thank Margarite's caregivers, Mary Whitley and Elaine Mattox for their tender care and for the Hospice team from Bristol Hospice for their care. The family also wants to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to Margarite's dear friends, Lorie Darah and Ron Flenner who made her life better every time they were with her. We love you both so much.

There will be a private graveside service. A Celebration of Life reception will be held on January 10th from 2:00-4:00 at Kingsmill Resort, Southall Room in Elements, 1010. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be given to House of Mercy in Williamsburg, Lackey Free Clinic in Yorktown, Grove Christian Outreach Center in Williamsburg, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Newport News or Bristol Hospice in Virginia Beach. Please leave online condolences at www.wjsmithandson.com.