Burnette Cogshell Burkett was born March 5, 1937, in Brownsville, TN, to the late Willie Cogshell and Emma Gause Cogshell. She was the youngest of six children. Burnette’s mother passed away when she was 13 days old, and at her mother’s request, she was raised by the late Roxie S. (Gause) Word and Boyd Gause. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters: Mamie D. Cogshell, Catherine Currie and Rosie Lou Shanks, and one brother Hurel L. Manns.
At an early age, Burnette confessed her faith at St. Peter Methodist Church in Brownsville, TN. She later joined Primitive Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Min. Albert Florence. Burnette graduated from Carver High School and later from Lane College, where she obtained her B.S. in Education. She was also a Certified Librarian and Elementary School Teacher.
On July 2, 1960, she married Thomas “Bud” Burkett. To this union, three children were born. In June of 1970, she relocated to St. Louis, MO, where she joined the Oak Grove M.B. Church, under the leadership of Rev. William Pirtle. She was a loving wife and mother who loved her family; a God-fearing woman, who raised her children in the church. Burnette was a “social butterfly” who loved talking, talking on the phone, bowling, cooking and traveling. She always had a song of praise in her heart and was blessed with a gifted voice that could bring a tear to anyone’s eye. That gift is passed to her daughter Mytrice and granddaughter, Ciera – a legacy that will live on from generation to generation. Most importantly, Burnette was a spirit-filled woman.
Burnette was a faithful member of Oak Grove for over 40 years. She joyfully sang in the choir, fed the hungry, served in many capacities until her health failed. She was lovingly referred to as “Burkett” by church members and “Mimi” by her grandchildren. Her warm laughter, compassionate yet firm spirit and words of wisdom will be missed by all.
On February 3, 2011, she made transition to be with the Lord at Missouri Baptist Hospital.
Burnette leaves to cherish her loving memory: her husband of 50 years, Thomas Burkett, four daughters: Chantay and Zaundra Burkett, Mytrice (Antonio) Marcano, all of St. Louis, MO, and Mildred (Maurice) Gouldin of Newburn, TN; four grandchildren: Ciera, Antonio, Kanesha and Phelicia; two brothers: Willie James (Kather Mae) Cogshell of St. Louis, MO, Coy Lee Gause of Brownsville, TN; one aunt: Alma (Harvey) Frazier of Galesburg, IL; one sister-in-law: Josephine Manns of Austell, GA; three brothers-in-law: Eugene Burkett of Tiptonville, TN, Ray Burkett of Rigley, TN; and JC Kirk of Dyersburg, TN; best friend: Mrs. Willie Lou Estes of Brownsville, TN; special friends: Eloise Jackson of St. Louis, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, god-children, other relatives, dear friends and the Oak Grove M.B. Church family.
