Obituary of Kenneth Burnett

Funeral services for Kenneth Burnett, 91, of Cotton Center, Tx, will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 30, 2021, in the First Baptist Church with Pastor Terry Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in the Center Plains Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, Tx. The family will gather to receive friends at Abell Funeral Home from 6:00pm until 7:30pm, Friday, October 29, 2021. Mr. Burnett died Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Canadian, Tx. He was born October 4, 1930 in Newlin, Tx, to Bill and Lena (Whitten) Burnett. Kenneth was raised in Cotton Center, where he graduated from Cotton Center High School in 1947. He then attended Texas Tech University and later served in the United States Air Force from 1950 until receiving his honorable discharge in 1954. He served in 17 foreign countries and was in Air Force Special Investigations. First and foremost, Kenneth loved Barbara (Brownd) Burnett and from the first time he saw her, he knew they would marry, and on January 16, 1955 in Hale Center, Tx, this became reality, and they were married. Kenneth enjoyed people. He never met a stranger and loved making people laugh. His kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were the apple of his eye. Whether it was babysitting, which most of the time he made them take long naps, or going to watch them play sports, sing in choirs, or whatever they were involved in, he loved to go watch. He will be remembered for all of his stories, which now he has a new audience. He loved handing out his forks and spoons. Sometimes people didn't know what to say and others got a big laugh out of them. Kenneth also loved fishing and hunting. He was always willing to help those in need. His positive attitude always shone through in all he did. Kenneth supported agriculture by serving 33 years on the Cotton Center Gin Board. He continued his influence to the Ag community by serving on the Executive Board of the Plainview Cotton Compress, the Board of the Lubbock PCCA and Lubbock Telmark Inc. Board. Kenneth was also committed to the Cotton Center community where he served on the Cotton Center ISD Board, and was a charter member of the Cotton Center Lions Club. Kenneth's faith ran deep. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon since 1974, and was a member of the Gideons International. Kenneth farmed in Hale County for 45 years and was an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT) for 20 years, which was a huge highlight in his life. He also did volunteer work in 3 prisons over the years. "Dad's unwavering faith was an inspiration to everyone. He gave us kids a firm foundation of love for the Lord. The example of his faith gave all of his family strength throughout the years, and that is what we will continue to lean on." He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Billie Jean and 3 brothers R.J. , W.E. , Jr. and Orville. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara Burnett of Cotton Center Center, 3 children, Zachary Kim Burnett and wife Debbie of Sherman, Tx, Becki Burrus and husband Devin of Lipscomb, Tx and Kendra Rodriquez and husband Mario of Plainview, Tx, 9 grandchildren Kari Rylander and husband Cory and their children Cade, Halle, Reid, Brice and Beau; Dillon Burrus and wife Kinsey and their children Bridger and Parker; Kayla Burnett; Nicole Dempsey and husband Dale and their children Everett and Kace; Trapper Burrus and wife Michelle and their children Kendi, Quaid and Ellie Jo; Kelli Sims and husband Chris; Keith Burnett and wife Rachel and their children Klein and Crawford; Zane Hayes and wife Katie and their children Henley and Hollyn; Kelsie Miller and Blake, brother Neal Burnett of Plainview, and sisters Pat Christian and Jan Whitfill both of Plainview. Services will be live streamed via Cotton Center First Baptist Church's Facebook page.