Ida F Burnett

July 5, 1936 – February 22, 2011

Ida Frances Easter Burnett, daughter of the late Reverend Smead and Mrs. Ola Bell Easter was born July 5, 1936 in Hope, Arkansas. She was the oldest child of eight siblings. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ara Lee Easter, Gussie Blackwell; and two brothers: Young Smead and Charles Wesley Easter.

Ida became a caregiver and was looked up to early in life. Her mother and father depended on her to look after her siblings while they worked. Ida took pride in this and was looked up to as a second mother. To this day, her siblings are grateful and take pride in having Ida as an older sister. In addition to helping her parents watch after the children, on Saturday mornings, Ida would get up early to help her mother with the household chores such as cleaning the house and laundry. By the evening, she would help the family get ready for church.

Ida committed to Christ at an early age and was extensively involved with the church and was raised in a loving Christian home. She was baptized at BeBee Memorial C.M.E. church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Rome.

When Ida was a child, she began to take piano lessons from Mrs. Naomi Yerger. She would also go to the church and help Mrs. Yerger prepare catfish to sell at the big church fish fry. Ida was so dedicated she stayed to help clean the kitchen.

On Sundays, Ida would sing in the church choir. When her choir was not singing, she would be an usher, greet the people and escort them to their seats.

For Easter and Christmas programs, Ida would help the children of the church prepare their speeches for the holiday programs. Rain or shine Ida was there with a smile.

Ida attended the Hope public school district and graduated from Yerger High School in 1954. During high school, she assisted the school secretary with office work and was commended by many. In the summer of 1954, Ida left Hope and traveled to Detroit, MI to earn money for college. When she returned, she was surprised to see that her sister Ola May Easter had made her new clothes!

In the fall of 1954, Ida, accompanied by her mother, traveled to Hawkins, TX to enroll at Jarvis Christian College. She majored in business administration. She attended Jarvis Christian College for two years. In 1956, she left Hawkins, TX and traveled to Phoenix, AZ where her father transferred to accept a preaching position. She joined his church, helped him form a choir, and played the piano for the choir every Sunday. She was a talented and faithful musician who played beautiful played music.

Ida and the choir traveled to different churches in the Phoenix area to play and for her father to minister. She fully dedicated her life to the work of the Lord as a member of Lewis Chapel C.M.E. church. Ida worked with her father until the Lord called him home in 1975

In 1960, she met Henry Burnett, of Lawton, OK. They were united in holy matrimony on June 11, 1960. Of this union, two children were born: Karen Roberts (formerly Karen Burnett) in 1961 and Linda Burnett in 1963. After being married, Ida became a homemaker, a dedicated mother and wife. Her husband was an excellent provider for the family. She instilled in her children values and ethics that are not to be compared. She taught them to love God as well as the self-fulfillment from working in the church. She taught them respect, dignity and to appreciate all people for whom they are.

After Ida and Henry raised their two daughters, Ida returned to college. In 1984, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science. She was employed with the Phoenix Elementary School District as a K-8 teacher. Ida was dedicated and had a true passion for teaching and giving others the gift of knowledge. Ida would use her own funds to buy snacks and school supplies for her students. Before class she would give her students a snack so that they would be able to focus during class. She would also stay late to tutor them if she felt they needed extra help. She was loved by her students and co-workers and was received many awards of appreciation. When she walked on campus, she was greeted with a hearty, "Hello Mrs. Burnett!" She can be described as an educator that was full of love, patience, and compassion for her students. Her spirit, humor, personality, and her talent for educating touched many of them. For this left a lasting impression on many.

Besides being an exceptional educator, she worked with the school district to ensure the students had everything necessary to get the most out of an education. Ida worked with the school system for over 20 years. Finally, due to her age and her fulfillment from teaching, she decided to retire. Whether an educator, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt or friend, Sister Burnett was loved and adored by her family and by many. She is a true Good Samaritan and child of God who spent her entire life giving and helping others. She gave the gift of life, education, and love. She will be greatly missed by her two daughters Karen Roberts of Phoenix, AZ and Linda Burnett of Kansas City, MO; Two grandchildren Derrick Burnett and Latoya Roberts, both of Phoenix, AZ; two great grandchildren Trevon and Romel Collins; two sisters Ola May Pete of Albuquerque, NM and Elizabeth Agbi of Las Vegas, NV; one brother Rev. John W. Easter of Las Vegas, NV; and a host of special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.