Joseph Oscar Burnette

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Mr. Joseph Oscar Burnette, 93, of North Little Rock, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Friday, April 25, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock.

Born in Blytheville to David Oscar and Lizzie Mae Potts Burnette, he was a retired sales manager with Southern Pacific Railroad and was of the Methodist faith.

Joe graduated from Blytheville High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Mo., where he was the president of the Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity and received the first place award as editor of Traffic Clubs of America News.

Joe's employment career began with the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad (The Cotton Belt) in Blytheville in 1942, then transferred to the sales office in Kansas City, Mo., where he served as general agent until 1966. He was then transferred to Shreveport, La., for SSW and Southern Pacific until 1969. From 1970-75, he was in Cincinnati, Ohio, then moved back to St. Louis where he was general traffic representative. Joe retired in 1981 as assistant manager of Area Sales Office in North Little Rock. During his 40 years of service with the SSW and the SP, he called upon railroad shippers in 21 states.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Helen Hacket Burnette; one brother and two sisters.

Joe is survived by his nephews, Sen. David Burnett and wife Sonja, of Osceola, Len Williams of Blytheville, and Mike Justus of Paragould;

His nieces, Carol Gozell of Blytheville, Dr. Jane Burnett Clement of Germantown, Tenn., and Dana Thomas of Rector;

A sister-in-law, Nancy Justus of Paragould; and

Several great-nieces great-and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel in Blytheville with the Rev. Steve Baillio officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. Saturday until time for services. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.cobbfuneralhome.com

Cobb Funeral Home of Blytheville is in charge of services.