Richard Edward Burnette Sr.

December 06, 1946 - April 01, 2025

Richard Edward Burnette Sr., 78, of Meadows of Dan, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. A Floyd County native, he retired as a MSGT in the United States Air Force with twenty-one years of service where he met the love of his life, a spitfire from Iowa. After that, he became a postal carrier serving the Willis community for thirty-four years, retiring in 2021. He was also a passionate lifelong farmer. Richard loved his family and his community. He enjoyed traveling, Nascar racing, and cooking. He was an old school gentleman from a time when men were men, providing and protecting but above all hard working. He gave it to you straight, sometimes with a rough delivery, but behind it was love. His wittiness and personality kept you on your toes. Above everything in his life, the most important decision he finally made was to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

He is proceeded in death by his wife of twenty-nine years Mary Jennie Anderson Burnette and parents Garnie Wayman and Ida Vivian Harris Burnette. He is survived by sons, Richard Burnette Jr. (Rhonda), Darrell Burnette (Terri), and Jeffrey Burnette (Tina). Daughters, Ronda Barker and Heather Chaffin (DJ). Grandchildren, Richard Burnette III (Stephanie), Christian Burnette, Mary Katherine Burnette, Kayla Carroll (Zach), Phillip Burnette (Abbey), Brady Burnette, Jeffery Burnette Jr. (Meghan), Cameron Belshan, (Matt), Grayson Burnette, Jay Burnette, Macie Marshall, Amie Barker, Mandie Barker, Avery Chaffin (Maggie), Emery Chaffin, and Marly Jenna Chaffin. Great-grandchildren, Jamison Burnette, Callum and Cohen Carroll, Nolan Burnette, Carter Belshan, and Landry Weatherman. Sisters, Elsie Stanley and Reeda Burnette. Special nieces and nephews Mike Loats (Kathy), Misty Hackbarth (Ed), Midge Evans (Lynn), Mark Loates (Kelly), Melanie Harmon (Chris), and Marty Poulson (Danielle).

Funeral services will be Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 pm at Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Burnette Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Jacksonville Cemetery with Military Rites by U. S. Air Force, VFW Post #7854 and American Legion Post #127. Family will receive friends Saturday, April 5, from 5:00 -7:00 pm at Gardner Funeral Home. 

Dear Burnett family we are so deeply sorry for your loss richard was my co worker for 30 plus years he was our friend we loved him so much all of you are in our thoughts and prayers love robert and Debbie

So sorry many prayers to the family always loved Richard so caring and funny loved picking on him he will be missed! Love to you all

Words can’t say how sorry I am for you all may God give you all peace in the up coming days and years to come I’ll always love yalls daddy like my own it was a pleasure taking care of him and helping him in every way I could you made my days and I know I made his I will miss his sweet smile as soon as he seen me everyday and when he wld say I love you too and get mad at me for leaving bless you all

We are so sorry for Richard's passing. We have a lot of good memories of your Mom and Dad. So glad he is in Heaven with his family. I know Mary was glad to see him! Our Love and Prayers are with all of you. Love you so much.

Richard was great to work with in Willis. I have missed seeing him since he couldn’t work anymore. His positivity smiles jokes and more made working a smooth day to work more lively. You are missed Richard.

Sorry to hear this. A special classmate.

We are so sorry for your loss,May God Bless!

Prayers for the Burnette family. Richard was a one of a kind. He was our mail man for sometime and he made you smile whenever you ran into him. He will be missed. But the memories and stories will go on. So when you think of Richard you will smile.

Rick and all of Richard’s family: not only did we share the same date of birth but we shared the love of our Lord and your special son, Pastor Rick. I heard such great things about you from your son and wish I could have met you. I offer prayers to all your family that they may always remember the good man you were, and may they always remember that you accepted the Lord into your life. You are at peace now. May God bless each and every one of your family and friends until they meet you in that glorious place called heaven!🙏

My condolences to the Burnett family. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. 🙏🙏🙏

Our condolences to the family.

So sorry for your loss,it was always a good time to see him at B&S are at the racetrack.Prayers for the family, G.C. & Rhonda Spangler

So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. I am sure that Mary and he are so happy to be reunited. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

I’m so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with the family

So sorry for your loss. Richard was a good guy and he will sadly missed. Marlene and Steve

Darrell, Heather & Burnette Family, Sending our love and condolences to your entire family, and yet thankful your Dad will be waiting for you in heaven. We love you! Scott, Catie, Sam & Austin

So sorry for your loss

May precious memories of Richard and Mary comfort all the family and loved ones of these special people. They enriched the lives of all who knew and loved them.

Great guy. So sorry for your loss.Prayers for the family.

Burnette family Sorry for your loss.Thoughts and prayers.

So sorry for y’all’s loss. Love, hugs & prayers for you all.

Our Love -Thoughts and Prayers are with you. All our best …Brian Tammy Peyton Mason

I am so sorry for your loss! All of the family will be in my thoughts and prayers! 🙏🙏 I didn't know Richard personally, but his Mama, Mrs. Ida Burnette was one of the best teachers I ever had!

Richard was a good friend for a lot of years. Very sorrow to all of his family

We were all so gifted to have Uncle Rich and Aunt Mary in our lives. They were very special people. Uncle Rich was always there for me!!! He was indeed a gentleman with a big heart. He will be missed, but will always be in our hearts.

Richard was a great friend to our parents for many years and there farms were across the road from each other! Sending the whole family prayers!

Burnette Family, you’re in my thoughts and prayers. I want to share some memories with you. I often think of that little woman from Iowa. Sometimes she would come up humbly, silently, to the alter and ask for prayer for her husband and at times, her children. It took all of about 15 seconds for the Glory of God to be all over her. He was never far away from her. There was nothing wrong with her vocal chords and she wasn’t afraid to use them ! She would begin to praise God and laugh, and move those arms around. She’d begin to walk like a woman on a mission, across the front, rebuking the devil from coming against her family. The anointing she carried on her, was like none I’ve ever seen before, nor after. She could stir a congregation. She would challenge her coworkers. I heard many stories of near-revival breakouts at her workplace, on Mondays, as she’d begin to speak of a Sunday church service. I’ve seen her turn a cold, sleepy Sunday School class into a Spirit filled environment, where everyone was up on their feet shouting God’s praises. She was a church member that any Pastor would love to have! I’ve seen people run to the alter for salvation while she was testifying of how good God is! She was the only person I have ever seen, shout and holler, “Yeeeaasss!! as the little kids at church would be singing, “This little light of mine.” My heart rejoices to think of what an amazing welcome Richard must have received, when Mary saw him enter Heaven! She prayed for that day! She shared the desire to see Richard and her whole family in heaven, some day. April 1, 2025 was not a quiet day in Heaven! We will see them both again, one day, and I look forward to hearing them both tell the story of when Richard entered Heaven! Most of all though, we will all see Jesus, the one who made this all possible, our living hope, through the power of His resurrection! Thanks be to God!

I always enjoyed talking to Richard. He was always grinning as he was walking up to you and you were always wondering what he was going to say. So thankful for his decision to accept Christ. Praying for the family.

Sorry for your loss.

I am sorry for your loss brother Rick. I will be praying for your family. Love you brother

So sorry for your alls loss.Prayers for alls comfort.

We are thinking of you in this loss of your father. God bless you in the days ahead with the fondest of memories.

So very sorry for your loss,, I know what it is to lose someone you love,, ,,, will be thinking about all at B&S and the whole family,,such very nice helping people,,,Your friend,,,," Gene "