Charles R. Burnette "Charlie"

Charles R. Burnette, 95, of Akron, passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2025. He was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on December 17, 1929 to the late William and Sarah Burnette. Charlie spent his entire career as a long distance truck driver. While having dinner at a restaurant during one road trip, he met a pretty waitress named Carolyn. They fell in love and married in 1959.

In 1967, the Burnette family moved to Akron, Ohio. Charlie eventually retired from P.I.E. Company.

Charlie was a longtime member of the Akron Baptist Temple, where he was involved in the nursing home ministry, the bus ministry, and he served as a greeter.

He loved being outdoors whether he was tending the vegetables in his garden or fishing. For years, he took annual fishing trips to Canada with family friends and Georgia with his brothers and sons. He was a true baseball fan and faithfully watched every Cleveland Guardians game.

Charlie remained active and spry well into his nineties. He planted a garden every year and enjoyed driving his great-grandkids home from school each day until he was 94 years old.

Although his family will miss him dearly, we take comfort in knowing he is in Heaven with his Savior and beloved family members who preceded him there.

In addition to his parents, Charlie is now reunited with his beloved wife, Carolyn; daughter, Janet Wilkerson; and seven siblings.

He is survived by his children, Sheila (Michael) Rice, Mike (Betty) Burnette, and David (Janice) Burnette; siblings, Ray (Norma) Burnette, Lawrence (Ponda) Burnette, Peggy Harris, Brenda (Frank) Robinson, and Donald (Peggy) Burnette; grandchildren, Brooke (James) Valentine, Raymond Wilkerson, Amanda (Christopher) Lavan, and Robert Gray; great-grandchildren, Jordynne (Caleb) Fry, Titan Valentine, Rocky Valentine, Tinley Valentine, Charlie Valentine, Jett Valentine, Cooper Valentine, Dannie Lavan, Aubrey Lavan, Sebastian Lavan, Madelyn Gray, Annabelle Gray, and Theodore Gray; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10 am - 12 noon, immediately followed by a 12 noon funeral service with Pastor Ernie Kemppel officiating at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron. Charlie will be privately laid to rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to City Church, 737 George Washington Blvd, Akron, Ohio 44312.

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