Susan Rebecca Burnette

Susan "Sue" Rebecca Burnette, a woman whose faith was her compass and whose family was her heart, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, at the age of 83. From her earliest days in Hartford City, Indiana, to her final years surrounded by loved ones, Susan lived a life that reflected the very essence of generosity, love, and unwavering devotion to God.

Born on December 19, 1942, to Norma and Paul Dalton, Susan grew up with simple, profound dreams - to become and wife and mother. She carried that vision from the fields of Indiana to the sunshine of Tampa, Florida, where she graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1961. It was through the doors of a church that Susan would meet William Burnette, Sr., the man who would become her husband. Their union, rooted in shared faith and mutual devotion became the foundation upon which Susan built her life's greatest treasures.

Susan's calling to motherhood was realized through her children, William Burnette, Jr., and Julia O'Dell, whom she raised with boundless love and selfless dedication. Her greatest joy was found in the laughter of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she would have considered any day spent with them to be perfect.

Her professional life included years of service with USAA in the insurance industry, but it was her volunteer work that truly showcased her servant's heart. For a decade Susan delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, a ministry she embraced through her church.

Susan was a devoted member of her church, where her faith served as her guiding light. Her relationship with the Lord was not merely a part of her life - it was the very foundation upon which everything else rested. She lived her life for the Lord, and her days reflected His love. Her faith carried her through life's journeys and challenges alike, and she wished to be remembered as a woman of faith who always placed family above her own needs - a legacy she fulfilled in every sense.

Susan found beauty in God's creation, particularly in the mountains of North Carolina. It stirred her soul and reminded her of the majesty of the Creator she served so faithfully.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Norma and Paul Dalton, and brothers, Paul Wayne Dalton and Fred Dalton.

She is survived by her devoted husband, William Burnette, Sr.,; her children, William Burnette, Jr., wife Rhonda Burnette, Julia O'Dell and husband Wayne O'Dell; her cherished grandchildren, Kendall Jenkins (Scotty), Jarrod Burnette (Kayla), Jacob Burnette (Araby), Daniel O'Dell, Lindsay Dinkel (Brian), Derek O'Dell (Jamie); great grandchildren, Savannah, Brennan, and Bryson Jenkins, Annmarie and Emelia Burnette, Jennie Lynn and Emma Burns, and Addison O'Dell; and her sisters Lou Burnside and Sherri Iturriaga.