James Franklin Burnette (Sonny) 80, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 28, 2016.

He was born on April 2, 1936 in Tarboro, NC to Basil Burnette and Louise Lee Burnette Morris.

He was preceded in death by his parents Basil Burnette, Louise Morris, and Herman Morris, sister Harriette Collins and brother Carl Burnette.

Sonny grew up in Tarboro NC where he attended Tarboro High School and met his high school sweetheart, Gail. They were married on July 18, 1955 and have shared 61 happy years together. Sonny then moved his family to Fayetteville, NC where he worked for Carolina Telephone Company for 44 years. As an athlete, Sonny was on his high school football and basketball team. The swim team was lucky to have him as a swimmer and he served as a life guard at the local swimming pool in Tarboro. He also enjoyed playing softball, volleyball and golf. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and the local Lions Club. Sonny found joy in music and loved to dance and sing. Being a devoted father, he always spent time with his family. Every summer he would take his family to the beach where they would swim, fish, play games and sing together.

Sonny is survived by his loving wife Gail Burnette; his five children, Karen Lopes, Sandra Burnette, James Burnette, Scott Burnette, and Julian Burnette; his 6 grandchildren, Sylvia Thornton, Amber Harris, Barbara Melvin, Julian Burnette, Cassie Burnette, and Gracie Burnette; and one great-grandchild, Aiden Thornton.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 3 at 3 PM at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the memorial service from 2-3 PM at the funeral home.