Obituary of Phyllis Hubbard Burnett

Phyllis Hubbard Burnett went Home to be with her Lord and Savior November 27, 2020.

Phyllis was born December 20, 1925 in Virginia to her parents, Gayle and Robert Hubbard. She attended James Maddison College and graduated from Duke School of Nursing in 1947. She married the love of her life, Colbert Hulet Burnett, Jr. June 15, 1948. Phyllis and Hu moved to Washington D.C where she worked as a nurse at Walter Reed Hospital until they returned to Durham, NC in 1952 to start their family. Once they were settled into their new home back in Durham she found a new job at the Durham VA Medical Center where she worked as a psychiatric nurse. She was passionate about her nursing career and enjoyed working with the babies when she was in school. Soon God would bless them with their first child and Phyllis dedicated her life to raising her family and was affectionately known as the “neighborhood mom” for all the children who’s parents worked.

Phyllis was a loving wife and mother with a passion for teaching Sunday School and raising her family in a Christian home. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and they will always remember their grandmother for her willingness to join them in a game of hide and go seek. She loved to dance and cut up. The children especially loved that she allowed them to have cake and ice cream for dinner.

Phyllis is survived by her sister Maggie Hubbard Strickland of Atlanta, Georgia, her son and daughter-in-law John and Susan Burnett of Boone, NC; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Vicki Burnett of Chapel Hill, NC; her daughter, Ruth Elaine Burnett of Cedar Grove, NC; and two beautiful grandchildren, Austin and Ashley Burnett of Chapel Hill.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, CH Burnett Jr, her parents Gayle and Robert Hubbard, her brothers Wallace Hubbard and Harold Hubbard and Sister Edna Hubbard Bryant.

Phyllis will have a graveside burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, NC on December 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., officiating will be Rev. Wesley Thomas. All who are able are welcome to attend.  Due to the pandemic, please wear a mask, and observe social distancing. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Bible Broadcasting Network, using the link on the left of this page.

Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill has been entrusted with caring for the Burnett Family.