Obituary of Ellen Smith Burnette

Ellen Smith Burnette, 79, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2016. She was born on December 6, 1936, in Lynchburg, VA to the late Kathleen Hogan Smith and Matthew Smith and lived the majority of her life in Bedford County. Ellen was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and was loved by all. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Billy Carroll Burnette. Ellen was a proud US Navy wife who was dedicated to her family, faith, and country. She was an avid bowler, loved to play cards with friends, and enjoyed spending time with her extended family. She worked for the Bedford Bulletin-Democrat and Clark American Printing in Roanoke, VA before retiring. She is survived by a daughter, Penny Burnette Jeffers and husband Christy Jeffers, Jr; a son, Kevin Lee Burnette and wife Jodi Burnette; four grandchildren: Jeffrey A Cox, Chelsea L. Burnette, Zachary B. Burnette, and A. Tyler Shipp; and four great-grandchildren: Aubriana, Brayden, Jace, and Jeremy. The family will receive visitors at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, on Friday, April 1, 2016, between 6 and 8 pm. Services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with the Rev. Wayne Murphy officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, to please consider memorials to the D-Day Memorial Fund, PO Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523 or to the Bedford Christian Church, 1928 Moneta Road, Bedford, VA, 24523. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.