Louise Burnett

Mrs. Gladys Louise Burnett, 84, of Union City died Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at New Hope Freewill Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Obion County Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the church.

Gladys Louise Mayberry Burnett was the firstborn child of Booker T and Sursie (Teenie) Mayberry. Affectionately called “Lou” by her parents and siblings, she was born on January 29, 1939, in Jordan, KY. The family would quickly increase with the addition of Betty just a year later, followed by Terry and Charles; and they would eventually call the little white house at the end of a dead-end road in Rives, TN—home.

Louise and her siblings all attended and graduated from the former Miles High School. Louise then moved to Nashville to continue her education where she would study, graduate, and become a licensed practical nurse. Soon after graduating, Louise married SJ Burnett who preceded her in death only a few short months ago. To their union was born, Hetha, Quincy, and Vincent.

The first years of their marriage were spent in California while SJ served in the armed forces. They would eventually move back to Tennessee where Louise would begin her nursing career. She worked at the former Obion County General Hospital where she was one of the first black nurses there…and would retire from what is now known as The Waters Nursing Home.

In addition to raising her children and working as a nurse; Louise loved playing the piano, working puzzles, watching MSNBC, and shopping…for clothes, shoes, purses, perfume and jewelry. But more important than all those things was her relationship with God. Her walk with Christ began at a young age, with the foundation being laid at Bashon Missionary Baptist Church in Rives. As an adult, she became a member of New Hope Freewill Baptist Church, where she attended regularly. She served as a church mother and in other capacities until her health began to fail. Despite sickness, she remained strong in her faith as evidenced by her quick recall of scripture, hymns, and other gospel songs.

In addition to her children, she leaves to mourn her memory a grandson who she raised as her own, Antonio Burnett; as well as six additional grandchildren; one sister, Betty (Louis) Brack; two brothers-in-law, Willie Lee (Maybelline) Burnett and Ben Vaughn; three sisters-in-law, Ella Burnett; Inez Mayberry; and Linda Maberry; her favorite niece, Donna Lorhorn; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and a nephew, George H. Lorhorn, Jr.

Rawls Funeral Home - Union City 731-885-8110