Barbara Burnett

Canton – Barbara Clark Burnett, 85, passed away early evening Sunday, April 28, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family.

Barbara was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and was a daughter of the late Lyman and Bonnie Massie Clark.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Denning Burnett; a sister, Frances Noland; and three brothers, Jerry, Hubert and Ted Clark.  She began her education at the Cruso School and was a graduate of Bethel High School.  Barbara excelled in basketball at Bethel as she recalled to her family that “the girls only played ½ court”  Barbara was employed as an inspector with Lea Industries with 20 years’ service, however her true work in life was making a treasured home for her family.  She was able to enjoy 41 years of marriage to her loving husband until his untimely death in 1993.  Barbara did not let her husband’s passing deter her from keeping the sense of home present in her life.  She delighted in tending her yard and growing flowers.  Her garden not only yielded pleasure for her but also provided many fruits and vegetables for family and friends.  Come fall of the year, she truly enjoyed the harvest of her garden that canning would provide to many people. She loved to cook and was continually having family and friends enjoy her delicious meals.  Barbara’s laugh was infectious and she loved to make people laugh.  Barbara recognized that smoking tobacco was not healthy but enjoyed her habit up until her passing.  Additionally, Barbara lived a Christian life and Mt. Zion Baptist was her church where she was able to be active in worship and fellowship with her church family.  Her family will always remember her for love and devotion to them and give thanks for having a blessed Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and a friend to all.

Barbara is survived by four daughters, Denise Abu-Arab of Candler, Rita Burchfield (Kenney), Anita Burnett, and Jennifer Davis (Jimmy), all of Canton; one son, Ricky “Little Ed” Burnett (Aretta) of Canton; two sisters, Ruth McElrath (Joe) and Trixie Haney (Gerald), all of Candler;  one brother, Ned Clark of Lenoir; seven grandchildren, Amy Davis, Jessica Shropshire, Tyler Pace, Julie Morgan, Taylor Pace, Kayla Burchfield and Trever Burchfield; six great-grandchildren, Jordan and Savana Rhinehart, Stella Shropshire, Asa and Zane Burchfield and Whitley Morgan; and another great-grandson on the way.

Her funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Jack Holland officiating.  Burial will follow at Gwyn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church Youth Program, 261 Dix Creek Road, Canton, NC  28716.

The care of Mrs. Burnett has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com