James Alvin Burnett

James Alvin Burnett, age 90, of South Knoxville passed away surrounded by family on August 27, 2023; in the early evening, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Heiskell, Tennessee. James was born June 21, 1933, to John Buley and Esther Estella (Roach) Burnett of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He was the youngest of five children.

James attended Rush Strong High School in Jefferson County. Due to a hardship, he was allowed to drive himself to school at the young age of 14, and this topic came up at some of his class reunions.

He went on to serve in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea and later transferred into the United States Army Reserve.

James met the love of his life, Nellie Naomi Trent, while working at Standard Knitting Mills in Knoxville. They married on August 16, 1958, and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Following his time at Standard Knitting Mills, James spent the remainder of his career working for the Knoxville City and Knox County School Systems Maintenance Departments as a glazer. His work truck, fondly called “ole number 40”, was a yellow International ¾ ton, he often commented that it took a 40-acre field to turn that truck around.

He loved spending time on the farm. He would come up every Saturday with bread and orange peels, etc. for the cows. When they saw his truck coming up the driveway; no matter where they were in the field, they would run to greet him. Those cows loved him as much as he loved them.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nellie Naomi Trent Burnett; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Renee’ (Glandon) Burnett of Heiskell, TN; grandchildren, Tiffany Michelle’ (Burnett) Phillips and husband Justin, Todd Alan Burnett and friend Codi Hatmaker; great grandchild, Landon Cade Burnett Daniels and several nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in death by parents, John Buley Burnett Sr. and Esther Estella (Roach) Burnett; brothers, Claude Eugene “Gene” Burnette, Leonard Isam “Todie” Burnette, John Buley Burnette Jr. and sister, Lois Allice Marie Burnette.

The family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Home Health of Oak Ridge and Amedisys Hospice of Knoxville for their care of James.

One of his famous quotes “I’m like a goose, I wake up in a new world every morning”.

The family will receive friends, September 1, 2023 between the hours of 1:00PM until 3:00PM in the Magnolia Chapel at Berry Highland South Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow in the Chapel at 3:00PM, officiated by Pastor Denny Ford.