Dorothy Frances Burnett's Obituary
Dorothy “Dot” Hayes Burnett, 86, passed away on March 21st, 2019, in her home in Longview, Texas, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on May 13, 1932 in Liberty Hill, Bowie County, Texas, to Jesse and Velma (Oney) Hayes.
Many of her fondest memories were of growing up on her family's farm in Liberty Hill and she often recalled that simple but happy time. Dot always loved to tell stories and she frequently recounted tales from her time growing up. Christmas at the farm was one of her happiest memories. Her family didn't have much but she always took joy in the little things like decorating the tree with household items and receiving her one Christmas gift, a toy rubber bouncing ball.
She graduated from Marshall High School and spent most of her life as a resident of Marshall. She delighted in raising her own family with her husband J.L. in their house on Grand Avenue. When J.L. became ill, she took care of him with faithful love for 11 years until the end of his life. She was a longtime member of Parkview Baptist and she always enjoyed attending services there. She loved animals, especially her dog Rudy, who she remembered fondly until the end of her life. Music was always very important to her. She loved to listen to bluegrass and country songs, including one of her favorites, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad.” She also enjoyed dancing and performed with the Green Street Swingers line dancing team for many years.
One of her favorite books was by Marshall native George Dawson, who learned to read at the age of 98. He persevered throughout hardship in his life and still managed to keep an overwhelming sense of wonder and joy. She would often quote his book to say “life is so good and it gets better everyday.”
She is survived by her sister Marie Collins, children Jay and Jan Burnett, stepchildren Ann Eagleburger and Jimmy Burnett, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As her niece Suzanne put it, she was everybody's grandmother. She also had a special relationship with her grandson Jesse Burnett, who she took care of like her own son when he was a small child.
She is preceded in death by her husband J.L. Burnett, her second husband George Leslie, siblings Charles Hayes, Harlace Hayes, and Ella Mae James.
Her family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care, love, and support given to her in the last years of her life by her caregivers Arhonda Buckalew, Kimberly Kimbrell, Jennifer Hart, Khris McTyre, and her beloved niece Debra McDowell.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 25th at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd, Longview, TX 75601. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, March 26th graveside at Colonial Gardens Cemetery on Highway 31/Elysian Fields Rd, Marshall, TX 75672.
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