Fritz Lamar Burnette, 96, of Morganton went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Born in Burke County, NC on January 5, 1923, he was the son of the late John Cleveland Burnette, Sr. and Mary Duckworth Burnette. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church and served as a trustee, deacon, choir member, and on various committees. He sang in the Hopewell Quartet. Fritz was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, having served aboard the USS Rockwall. He was a carpenter responsible for building many homes in Burke County. Fritz enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and the UNC Tar Heels. He also supported his entire family at any sporting events in which they were involved.
A loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Fritz is survived by his children, Carolyn Norman, Kenneth Burnette (Sybil), Evelyn Barnhardt (Michael), Richard “Dickie” Burnette (Robin), Nancy Leonard (Johnny), Sandra Benfield (Donnie), and Roger Burnette (Julie); daughter-in-law, Betty Burnette; grandchildren, Felicia Austin, Gary Norman, Dana Sisk, Angela Smith, Laura Johnson, Adrienne Rich, Tyler Barnhardt, Michael Barnhardt, II, Angela Cole, Brandon Burnette, Brooke Walker, Tamara Hensley, Beth Buckner, Amanda Waters, Steve Brittain, Philip Brittain, Remington Burnette, Laela Burnette, and Haley Burnette; 30 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Fritz was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth “Lib” Duckworth Burnette; son, Dean Burnette; son-in-law, Sanford Norman; sisters, Louise Hall, Bertha Burnette, Catherine Fox, Azile Taylor, Maxine Burnette, Jewel Franklin, Mable Burnette, Nell Meharg, and Rheba Sullivan; and brothers, John “J.C.” Burnette, Jr., William “Bill” Burnette, and Joseph “Joe” Burnette.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2019 in the Youth Center at Hopewell Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary with Dr. Danny Emory officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1112 Hopewell Road, Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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