Earl Burnett

Deacon Earl Louis Burnett Sr, age 80, a native of Hobbs, New Mexico, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021. Earl graduated Hobbs Senior High School in 1963. Earl, an only child, was the son of Leon Burnett and Vivian Davis Burnett Hayes. He was a gauger for the Shell pipeline for 22 years, retiring in 1992. In his non-professional life, Earl was a deacon at Ebenezer Baptist Church for 35 years, 20 of which were on the Deacon Board. His other duties included Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Earl was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Earl was a skilled carpenter and built porches and carports as well as remodeling houses. He felt honored and was proud to participate in the Davis family reunion in Madisonville, TX, which is recognized by the city as an annual event. Earl was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who had a great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Thigpen Burnett, of 42 years and his former wife, Virginia Frison Burnett Bonner. He is also survived by his children: Francene Kilgore Sanchez Slattery, Earl Louis Burnett Jr, Olan Wayne Burnett, Stephanie Ann Friel, Dailon Eugene Burnett, Carl Louis Burnett, Lucille Thompson, and his stepchildren: Virgil Marie Terrell, Billy Ray Thigpen, Arthur Washington, Robert Washington, Charles Rayford, and Andre Rayford. He is preceded in death by two children: Sheila Delane Burnett and Vanessa Kay Burnett.   He is preceded in death by his father Leon Burnett and mother Vivian Davis.