James Elmer Burnette, born May 2, 1916, left this earth for heaven's rest Dec. 18, 2012. He was the son of Tom and Delilah Galyon Burnette and was the last survivor of their seven children. Raised as a sharecropper, he became the sole supporter of his large family at a young age. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 and was in the invasion of Normandy. He was able to tell of his war experiences up until six weeks prior to his death. His surviving children are Marvin and Sandi, Tommy and Kay, Louise and John Barnes, Sue and Steve Clark, Darrell and Rhonda, Dennis and Iva, Vanessa and Chris Francis. Rankin predeceased him in 2007. He was married to Estelle Gallihar Burnette, who died in 2003. He has 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a beloved niece, Jessie Raby Wright and many nieces, nephews and friends. The family acknowledges Dr. Sigrid Johnson and Susan Bell, Brenda Hooks, Linda Wray and Jenny Tilley and especially Adam Burnette who cared for him his last days. All were invited to celebrate his 96 Â1/2 years of living at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater on Friday Dec. 21 from 4-8 p.m. and memorial and military service were held at Cedar Fork Baptist, his home church for 66 years, on Saturday Dec. 22, his 66th wedding anniversary, at 2 p. m. with the Rev. Clayton Dunsmore, the Rev. Mark Richesin and the Rev. Chris Burnette officiating. Memorials may be made to Cedar Fork Baptist Church or your charity of choice. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com