Burnett, Mary Louise

BURNETT, SMITH

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:02:55

Funeral services for Mary Louise Burnett, 61, of Knoxville, held Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Williams Funeral Home. Rev. Sheldon Starkenburg and Rev. Ralph Van Rheenan officiated at the services. Music was provided by Katie Davis, vocalist and Darlene Mooberry, organist.

Interment was at Lincoln Cemetery in Marion County. Casketbearers were Todd Burnett, Shirley Grimes, Ron Miller, Folmer Petersen, Bob Ritchie, John Ruge, and Dee Wright. Honorary bearers were Jeffrey Burnett, Scott Burnett, David Whitlatch, Gary Whitlatch, and Larry Whitlatch.

Mary was born on Dec. 15, 1940 at her parents' home in Marion County. She was the daughter of Elreta May Smith and John Carl Burnett. She attended school at the local country school and later in Knoxville.

She lived at home helping her parents. After her father left for college, Mary learned to drive a tractor and could plow faster than her dad. Mary also helped her mother in the house and became involved in many of the same activities. They were members of the Good Neighborhood Club. Mary played the organ at home. She and her mother taught ceramics classes around the kitchen table. She also volunteered at the U.S. Veterans Hospital.

The family attended church at the Dallas Methodist Church and later at the First Methodist Church in Knoxville. Mary and her mother were always active in the church circles, luncheons and the Farm Bureau.

When Mary moved to the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella, she continued her service to the Calvary Christian Reformed Church of which she has remained a member of. Mary lived at the Christian Opportunity Center for 11 years before returning to Knoxville. The most memorable thing about Mary was her uncanny ability to remember names and always have a cheerful smile for everyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one nephew, Scott Burnett.

She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, John and Judy Burnett of Knoxville; a sister, Molly Burnett of Knoxville; two nephews; two great nieces; and two great nephews, Chad and Christopher.

Memorials may be made to the Christian Opportunity Center or Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.

Arrangements were made by Williams Funeral Home.

The Pella Chronicle, October 25, 2002