Ben was a humble follower of Jesus for 64 years within a nondenominational Christian fellowship. More than anything else, he loved being with God’s people.
Ben served in the Army in WWII and was stationed in the Philippines and Japan. After the war, he worked for International Harvester and Gelco Trucking.
He is preceded in death by wife, Jessie McMahan Burnette; parents Clyde and Lena Burnette; siblings, Alberta Mae Burnette, Nell Kathleen Geddie, John Newman Burnette, Willie Margaret Brown, Frank Elwood Burnette, Betty Josephine Burnette, and Ada Maureen Bartley.
Ben is survived by his children, Vicki (Tim) Denton, Tommy (Vicki) Burnette, and Donna Campbell; grandchildren Julie (Keith) Williams, Greg (Megan) Burnette, Blake (Camille) Denton, and Keith (Elysse) Denton; great-grandchildren, Pierce Denton, Asher Denton, Anna Denton, Bailey Denton, Spencer Denton, Parker Denton, and Mills Burnette; nieces and nephews, Clyde Geddie, John Geddie, Susan Stanton, Joyce Wasson, Rick Brown, David Brown, Joe Brown, Barry Burnette, Debbie Burnette, and Kenneth Keller. He also leaves behind a large loving group of friends.
Thanks to Amedisys Hospice, Cornerstone Caregiving, doctors Stephen Lorino, Charles Treasure and R. Keith Shular.
Special thanks to Ellen Willis, Clyde Geddie, Amos and Rosie Kent, and Ron Clabo.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ben’s memory to Tunnel to Towers, Wreaths Across America, or Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.
The family welcomes friends to a Visitation on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 4pm-6pm at Berry Funeral Home, with a Funeral Service to follow. Family and friends will meet at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 1pm.
To watch the service on Monday, April 6, 2026 please visit: https://Berry-Funeral-Home.livecontrol.tv/c4415232
