Thomas Earl Burnette

Mr. Thomas Earl Burnette, age 77, of Pittsboro, NC, entered eternal rest on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at his residence.

The Obituary

Thomas Earl Burnette "Cover Shaker", "Scrub Killer", the son of the late Samuel and Luella Wynn Burnette, was born in Chatham County on June 17, 1947. He departed into eternal rest on October 19, 2024, at his residence in Pittsboro NC.

Thomas was a lifetime member of Haw River Baptist Church and attended until his health declined. He maintained the church’s lawn, was an honorary trustee and served on the Food Bank ministry for several years. Thomas graduated from Horton High School in Pittsboro, NC in 1967. Soon after graduation, he was drafted into the Army. Thomas was employed by Mellot and then he was later hired by Liggett & Myers where he worked for 42 years. His hobbies were fishing, working on cars, riding motorcycles, singing, dancing, listening to old school music and spending time with his family. He was a funny guy and never met a stranger. He would give you his shirt off his back.

His favorite sayings were: If it ain’t right I’ll make it right, 10/4 driver, One Time and One Time Only, I love you baby and can’t nobody change that but me or you, and great time of day.

He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel E. and Luella Wynn Burnette, brothers Clyde and James Burnette and a bonus child Rita Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 55 years, Hattie Suzanne Burnette, one son, Christopher Earl Burnette (Stephanie) of Pittsboro NC and two daughters, Karen Cheek (Neal) of Moncure NC and Kimberly Fogle (Andrew) of Siler City NC.

He is also survived by two brothers, Douglas E. Burnette (Charlene) of Durham, NC and Rev. Stanley V. Burnette (La Verne) of Moncure, NC; two sisters, Annie D. Edwards (Bobby) of Mebane NC, and Lucile Patterson of Chapel Hill NC; sisters-in-law, Mary Seymour and Hester Jeanette Alston of Moncure NC, Mamie Seymour and Bettie Seymour of Pittsboro NC, and Maggie Burnette of Durham NC; three aunts, Ella M Farrar of Brooklyn NY, Marjorie B. James of Durham NC and Carol B. Stewart of Pittsboro NC; and bonus children Rodney, Vickie, Matt, Maurice, Sharon, Sharnetta, Tracey, Edmond, Kelcey, Doug, Sheena, Jeffrey, Derrick and Claynetta; seventeen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.               

"We do not own copyrights to the background music"

Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Pittsboro, NC