OBITUARY
Born in Oak City, North Carolina, on May 2, 1946, Burnett Randolph Lynch was the youngest child born to the late Augustus Cicero and Carrie Burnette Lynch. He passed away on May 10, 2024, at the CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC.
Affectionately known as “Spanky or Spank” among family and other loved ones, he was also known as “Pops” to his grandsons and often called Uncle Burney by many.
A man of academic prowess, he was educated in Martin County Public Schools and graduated from West Martin High School in 1964. His thirst for knowledge led him to North Carolina A&T State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History in 1969. During this time, he also embarked on a lifelong journey and married his childhood sweetheart, Jannie Peele.
Burnett also enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969 and served during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Abilene, Texas, Thailand, and Guam. During his military career, he was a Canine Security Policeman and a Social Action NCO specializing in drug treatment. He was honorably discharged in 1973.
Burney, as most colleagues knew him, joined the Department of Corrections on August 1, 1974, as a Probation/Parole Officer in Gaston County, handling a caseload of drug offenders. At the time of his retirement in 2003, he ended his 30-year career as an Intensive Case Officer.
As Spank’s career blossomed, his union with Jannie was blessed, and they became parents to a son, Vladimir. They faithfully attended Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gastonia for many years, and later joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where he served as a former Trustee.
To be in his presence was always delightful and entertaining. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, telling stories of “down home,” and sharing his many jokes. He relished family time, and it was primarily known that he would always make sure that photos were captured. In addition to photography, other interests included hunting, fishing, gardening, visiting farmer’s markets and aquariums, and window shopping at Walmart and hardware stores.
Burnett was preceded in death by his siblings, Oliver Lynch, Lucy Hudson, Blanche Jones, Vivian Lynch, and Reverend Dr. Lorenzo A. Lynch, Sr.
Those left to celebrate his life include his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Jannie; son, Vladimir; three grandsons, Wesley I. McCullough, Deacon Lynch, and Frazier Lynch; sisters, Delores Jenkins and Dorothy Hairston; several nieces and nephews; beloved friends, Retha Hall, Rick Hurt, Jeff Burris, Ivan Lowe, and Tracey Ormsby; and a host of other relatives and loved ones.
Opening Hymn
Invocation
Scripture Lesson
THE ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP
Reverend Patrick L. Cheston, EBC Executive Pastor, Presiding
“Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand” EBC Fellowship Choir
Bishop John J. Wilkins, Jr., Cousin, Raleigh, NC
Psalm 23 KJV
Reverend Donna Fant, EBC Associate Minister
Scripture Lesson II Timothy 4:6-8 KJV
Dr. Benjamin Hinton, Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church
Gastonia, NC
Prayer of Comfort and
Reverend Elvis Jones, Nephew and Pastor, The Lord’s Prayer
Selection
Remarks and Reflections of Life
Selection
Eulogy
Closing Prayer and Benediction
Recessional
Repast
Lily of The Valley Baptist Church, Everetts, NC
“God Is Good” Trustee Neutrice Childs and EBC Fellowship Choir
Mr. Ben Jones, Nephew
Mr. Jeff Burris
Ms. Delores Brown, The Little Flower Assisted Living
Deacon Terry Bowser
Deacon Ivan Lowe
Deacon Rick Hurt
The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch, Niece
83rd United States Attorney General
“God Is” Deaconess Kathy B. Bowser and EBC Fellowsip Choir
Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch
Selection ...“What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?”
Nephew, Senior Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church
“I Shall Wear A Crown”
Ms. Felicia Hicks Gaston and EBC Fellowship Choir
Family and Out of Town Guests
EBC Multipurpose Room
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Family • The Deacons and Trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church
HONORARY FLORAL BEARERS
Family • The Deaconess of Ebenezer Baptist Church
SPECIAL THANK YOU
The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the medical staff of Fresenius Kidney Care Centers (Gastonia), DaVita Mint Hill, Little Flower Assisted Living (Charlotte), Novant Health Main (Charlotte), the CaroMont Regional Medical Center (Gastonia), Ms. Retha Hall, Deacon Rick Hurt, Mr. Jeff Burris, Ms. Tracey Ormsby, and Deacon Ivan Lowe for their unwavering care and support of our loved one.
TOO BUSY
The Lord had a job for me, but I had so much to do, I said, “You get somebody else -- or wait ‘till I get through.” I don’t know how the Lord came out, but he seemed to get along; But I felt kind o’ sneakin’ like; ‘cause I knowed I done Him wrong.
One day I needed the Lord, needed Him right away -And He never answered me at all, but I could hear Him say Down in my accusin’ heart, “I’s got too much to do. You get somebody else -- or wait ‘till I get through.”
Now, when the Lord has a job for me, I never tries to shirk; I drops what I have on hand and does the good Lord’s work; And my affairs can run along or wait ‘till I get through. Nobody else can do the work that God’s marked out for you.
By Paul Laurence Dunbar, PoetINTERMENT
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
VA National Cemetery Salisbury, NC