Celester Odessa Burnett

Mother Celester Odessa Burnett

November 10, 1928 – November 12, 2019

Celester Odessa Burnett was born on November 10, 1928 in Johnsville, Arkansas, to her parents Lee Ellis and Beatrice York. She was the first child of six children born in the family. Her siblings, John, Adell, James, Birdie, and Willie remember their sister as the kind-hearted person. Celester attended school in Arkansas and graduated from Bradley County High School.

At the age of 16, Celester went fishing. A young man stopped and asked her where she lived, and after she told him where she lived, he told her, he would be back in a week to marry her. One week later, Arthur Lee Burnett showed up and while Celester’s family thought she was at school, she was down at the courthouse, getting married to Arthur. Arthur wanted Celester’s family to know that she would be taken care of. So, when Arthur returned to marry Celester, he had a home and savings for them to get started. With this unfailing love, six children were born, Doris, Dwain, Arda, Starla, Selma, and Arthur, Jr. Later in life, Arthur fell ill, Celester would explain to her children, “if one man could take care of a wife and six kids, a wife and six kids can take care of one man.” She and Arthur remained married until his passing. The children remember their mother as a loving woman who had a genuine love for everyone. She was not judgmental but accepted everyone as they were. She cared for all and claimed all as “somebodies’ child.” Later, she was blessed with 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren. She loved all of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Celester loved the Lord. She was a faithful member of Ogden Church of God In Christ under the Leadership of Bishop G. E. Smith, then later became a member of Prince of Peace Church of God In Christ with Pastor William Colburn, Sr. and after his passing, Pastor William Colburn, Jr. would enjoy pastoring Mother Celester Odessa Burnett, and now under the leadership of Pastor Tyler Colburn. Mother Burnett was the Church Mother who started “Friends and Family Day.” Mother Burnett was a strong advocate for “Come as you are.” She loved inviting people to the church, and encouraging others, making them feel good about themselves. She was a true church mother who mothered all in the ministry and the people who just dropped by. She had a way of finding those who were turned away from the church and bringing them in to be received as they were. She believed the old saying, “Come as you are, and God will clean you up.”

For the most part, Celester was a housewife; however, she worked in the kitchen at Denver University for a number of years, and later she and her partner, Anne Harvey, started a cleaning business called, A&C Cleaning Service. They worked this janitorial business for some time and dissolved the business but continued to work in private cleaning. She was a strong woman with many gifts and talents.

In her free time, Celester loved to eat (watermelon was her favorite). She loved to travel; she even traveling internationally to Korea, and she loved to take road trips. Celester was the planner of the family, she would plan family gatherings just to be close to her family. Mother enjoyed dressing in her fancy clothes, shoes, and hats. When someone did something a little strange or different, she was known for saying, “That’s cute enough,” because she valued everyone. Her closest friends were Anne Harvey and Gladys Sweeny. They will remember Celester for her kind heart and willingness to help. Mother Burnett was a one of a kind, loving person who always reached out to love everyone. She will be missed.

Celester Burnett was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Lee Burnett; her daughter, Doris Harris; her parents, Lee Ellis and Beatrice York-Ellis; and her siblings, John H. Phillips, Adell Phillips, and James Phillips.

Mother Celester Odessa Burnett departed this life into the hands of her Lord on November 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. She leaves to cherish her memories her loving children, Dwain Burnett, Arda Burnett, Starla Franklin, Selma Smith, and Arthur Lee Burnett, Jr.; her siblings, Birdie L. Phillips-Ards, Willie Pearl Phillips-Brockington; 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.