Betty Joyce Clements Burnette

Mrs. Betty Joyce Clements Burnette, 74, 213 Dogwood Lane, Johnson City passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at her residence. Mrs. Burnette was a native of Petersburg, Virginia who had lived in Johnson City since 1967. She was the daughter of the late Kermitt and Alice Funk Clements. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Marys Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Perpetual Adoration Prayer Group. Prior to devoting herself full-time to raising her family, Mrs. Burnette worked as a registered nurse for several years. She was very proud that she, as a recent graduate of nursing school, volunteered to serve the Boston area during the polio outbreak of 1955. As her children grew, she worked as school secretary of St. Marys School, and later as owner of Betty Bs Alterations. In addition to her parents, one son, Reginald Lewis Burnette, one daughter, Renee Louise Burnette, and one brother, Kermitt Henry Clements, Jr. preceded her in death. Survivors include: her husband of forty-nine years, Dr. Harold Winston Burnette, of the home; three sons, Ronald Lester Burnette and his wife Rebecca Kane, of Gray; Richard Lee Burnette, of Johnson City; and Robin Lynn Burnette, of Nashville; two daughters, Rebecca Leigh Burnette Martinez and her husband Jan of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Rochelle Lara Burnette, of Johnson City; one sister, Isabelle V. Clements, of Richmond, Virginia; and five grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Washington County Humane Society, 525 Sells Avenue, Johnson City, Tn. 37604 or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105. A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Betty Joyce Clements Burnette will be conducted at 8 PM Thursday, September 3, 2009 in the St. Marys Catholic Church. Father Anietie Akata will officiate. A private committal service will be held Friday, September 4, 2009 in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be: Robin Burnette, Richard Burnette, Ronald Burnette, Brandon Burnette, Jan Martinez, David Wayne Clements and Earl Winston Burnette. The family will receive friends in the church from 6 to 8 PM Thursday prior to the funeral Mass.