Obituary: Jesse Ray Burkett Sr.
Jesse Ray Burkett Sr., 83, of 1373 Sumrell Road Kinston, NC 28501 went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday December 7, 2025, at UNC Lenoir Hospital. He was born February 15, 1942, to the late William Bryant and Lady Dell Parrish Burkett in Jones County.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years before her passing in 2011, Sally Ray Burkett; as well as his parents forementioned and siblings Johnny Bill Burkett, Ethel Sasser, Elbert Burkett, Faye Koonce, Robert Burkett, and Roger Burkett. He worked at the Lenoir County ABC as a salesclerk for 2 months shy of 40 years.
Garner Funeral Home will be handling the services at Pilgrim Home Original Free Will Baptist at 5802 Wyse Fork Road Dover, NC 28526. The visitation will be on December 11, 2025 from 11am to 1pm with the service beginning at 1pm and the graveside will follow at Westview cemetery. The family will receive family and friends at all other times at his daughter’s home 1375 Sumrell Road Kinston, NC 28501.
Survivors include his children Jesse Ray Burkett Jr and wife Sherry, Christy Davenport and husband Dock, and Holly Burkett and special friend Tommy Jones. He also leaves behind grandchildren Dustin Burkett (Kelsey), Amanda McCarty (Tyler), Tyler Rouse (Kayla), Nicole Burkett, Trent Davenport (Allison) and Amber Davenport. His greatest blessing were the great-grandchildren Jaxson McCarty, Lynnlee Burkett, Matthew Murdock, Ben Schoonover, and Wrenlee Rouse.
He also leaves to cherish his memory a special friend Becky Nunn and his siblings Angeline Hayworth, Eugene Burkett, Ann Crook, Cynthia (Tootsie) Jones and David Burkett. He had many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles that he loved and picked on endlessly which was his way to show he loved them.
He also had friends that we know will miss him from the Southwood and Pink Hill communities that include The Country Store, Darnell’s Flower, Jo’s Café, Byrds, Big Blue, Harry’s store across from LCC, Fat Baby’s and of course Mike Horne’s Service Center.
Garner Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
On-line condolences may be sent to garner-funeralhome.com
