Rev. Bobby J. Burnett

The Rev. Burnett was a retired minister and the pastor of Temple Baptist Church for 45 years. He was a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Tallapoosa County, Ala. The Rev. Burnett died at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2008, at his residence at the age of 76. Visitation at Gospel Light Baptist Church, 20440 Highland Road, between Airline Highway and Jefferson Highway, on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until the religious service at 10:30 a.m., conducted by Brother Warren Johnson, under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Visitation was held Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the church. He is survived by his daughter, Tracy Taylor and her husband, Glen, of Baton Rouge; his son, Bobby J. Burnett Jr. and his wife, Lisa Hillman Burnett, of Baton Rouge; brother, Earl Burnett, of Alexander City, Ala.; eight grandchildren, Rebeka Ruth Taylor, Caleb Taylor, John Mark Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, Tori Taylor, Glen Taylor II, Brandon Burnett and Bobby "Trey" Burnett III. The Rev. Burnett was preceded in death by his wife, Nobie Ruth O'Neal Burnett; and parents, Ruben Jackson Burnett and Mollie Newman Burnett. Pallbearers will be Glen Taylor Jr., John Morgan, the Rev. Barry Thomas, the Rev. Jerry Rockwell, Lionel Templet and Mr. Carroll Powders. He was the founding pastor of Temple Baptist Church in 1957. The same year, he co-founded, along with Videt Polk, Gospel Singers of America. He traveled extensively throughout the southeast, teaching gospel music. Rev. Burnett was an accomplished songwriter and pianist. Memorial donations may be made to: Gospel Singers of America, 951 E. Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, Miss.