Mrs. Eliza Vernise Enoch Burnett, daughter of the late Junious Dale Enoch and late Lorena Enoch, was born on Dec. 14, 1921 in Alamance County. She went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 11, 2012.
Eliza spent her younger years in Alamance County. She attended elementary and high school at Pleasant Grove High School. She was a star basketball player on the Pleasant Grove girls basketball team. Eliza also drove a school bus and became the State of North Carolina's first official female school bus driver. Eliza met her husband to be, James E. Burnett, while working on the farm during her mid-teens in Alamance County, NC. James worked on a nearby farm in the same town. In 1941, James E. Burnett joined the army to fight in World War II. While in the armed services he received an additional assignment of cleaning the uniforms of the colonels.
In 1945 at the end of the war he returned home and married Eliza. To that union one daughter was born. In 1946 James and Eliza Burnett bought a small dry cleaning establishment located on Dudley Street, a part of the East Market corridor. Eliza waited on the customers and James cleaned, pressed and sorted clothes. This was the start of Burnett's Sanitary Dry Cleaners.
In approximately 1962 James and Eliza moved their business to East Market Street. They hired full time employees and their business thrived because of Eliza's smile that greeted people at the front counter. In 1983, James Burnett went home to be with the Lord and Eliza continued the legacy of Burnett's Sanitary Dry Cleaners. Eliza worked six days a week starting at 6:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Eliza said the best thing about the cleaners was when customers were satisfied and she enjoyed dealing with people. She loved the dry cleaning business and the people she met along the way. The dry cleaning business was her passion and ministry. Eliza was an astute business woman and entrepreneur. She dreamed big and accomplished those dreams with hard work and determination.
On Sept. 25, 2010 Burnett Sanitary Dry Cleaners closed after almost 65 years in business. Eliza, at the young age of 88, officially retired and worked in her garden and with her church. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church for over 47 years. During her membership at Shiloh she was an Associate Trustee, member of the Seasoned Saints, member of the Missionary Circle, Team leader of the Southeast Team, Deaconess, member of the Budget Committee, one of the three original organizers of the Floral Club, member of the JT Hairston Apartment Board, attended Zumba class, loved Noon Day Bible Study and was a strong supporter of the Otis L. Hairston Sr. Family Life Center. Eliza loved her church and loved her community. She was a member of the Begonia Flower Club and contributed to many community charitable organizations. Her giving spirit and her love for others benefited not only her church but the community, city and state.
Eliza is survived by her devoted daughter Levonia McCoy and husband the Rev. Donald McCoy of Greensboro, N.C.; granddaughter Tene Cummings and husband Hector of Lynwood IL; two great-grandchildren, McCoy and Harmon; sister, Georgia Knox of Elmira, N.Y.; brother Charles Enoch of Sanford, N.C.; special friend, Clara Henderson; and a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives, friends and neighbors.
Eliza may be gone in body but her spirit, her smile and her love for others will last a lifetime. For 90 years we were blessed with a phenomenal woman. Funeral services will be conducted at noon Monday, Nov. 19, with 11 a.m. visitation at Shiloh Baptist Church. The interment will be in Martins Chapel Baptist Church cemetery in Mebane, N.C.
Arrangements by Community Funeral Service, Inc. www.communityfuneralservice.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Shirley Rascoe
November 27, 2012
Lavonia and the Burnett Family:
There are truly "no" words to express my sadness. Mrs. Burnett was an Icon in this city, and her smile, wit, charm, "real personality" will truly be missed. Please keep this prayer in your heart: Lord, when sorrow grips our hearts as we think about the death of one close to us, remind us of the joy You are experiencing as our loved one enjoys the pleasures of heaven. Please allow that to give us hope and comfort. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Love and Prayers from me and my family,
Jan Smith Chapman
November 19, 2012
Levonia and all the family.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.She will be always remembered especially her smile.Sorry we cannot be with you in person but we are with you in spirit and prayer. Love, Rita,George,Pamela and William Burnett
Ruby Burnett (june bug) Wilson
November 19, 2012
I had the pleasure to work with Ms. Burnett for two years and found her to be a jewel of a woman. She always treated me with respect and fairness, Ill always remember her smile, generosity and mind for buisness and people. My prayers go out to the family may God comfort you and know that all of heaven has rejoiced at the return of His servant who finished her course.
Pastor David L. Williams
November 18, 2012
Mrs. Burnett, Entrepreneur, was very supportive of Jonesboro/Scott Park and Eastside Communities. We are grateful for her support and guidance. "Jesus Paid It All And All To Him We Owe"
Prayerfully - James R. Jarrell
James Jarrell
November 18, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Margie Griffin-Jordan
November 17, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Roy & Janice (neice) Whitaker
November 17, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time bereavement. Mrs Burnett was a kind individual. She was very understanding and didn't mind lending a helping hand. She was truly an angel sent from above to touch and enrich our lives. God needed his angel and called her back home to be with him. Gone but not forgotten.
Patricia Heath
November 17, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Owen & Linda McAdoo
November 17, 2012
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Liz DeGraffenriedt
November 17, 2012
Levonia, Tene and the whole Burnett family, my heart goes out to you all. Mrs, Burnett was the finest lady I have ever know and I loved her dearly. I can just imagine her face when she got to the pearly gates and was greeted by "Her James" and her God. I will miss her dearly and I will keep you all in my prayers for the sad days ahead.
Laura Staunton
November 17, 2012
Zack Browning A long time custom
November 17, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
CALVIN MEBANE
November 17, 2012
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