Kay Frances Freshour Burnette

Kay Frances Freshour Burnette (Momma Kay) was born in Parrottsville, Tennessee on June 24,1933 and departed us for Heaven peacefully after a long and happy life on January 23,2025 with one son by her side and the other on the phone at Viva Senior Living in Oak Ridge ,Tennessee at the age of 91.

Kay Freshour Burnette was born to Delcie Mason Freshour and Mose Franklin Freshour and raised on a large farm experiencing a great childhood in Cocke County Tennessee. She graduated from Parrottsville High School in 1950 and East Tennessee State University in 1953 where she was an exceptional student and excelling in basketball.

She married her late husband, Lloyd “Dobie” Burnette in May, 1953 and moved to Alcoa, Tennessee where she began a long teaching career at Springbrook Elementary School and Alcoa Elementary School and also served as the Alcoa High School Girls basketball coach for several years forming lifelong relationships with many students, parents, and colleagues. Additionally, Mrs. Burnette established two daycare centers in 1973 and 1975. She retired from teaching in 1991 but did teach part-time until 1995. Kay and Lloyd were devoted members of Alcoa First Baptist Church where Kay served in several capacities.

Kay soon became known as “Momma Kay” to many throughout the community due to her love of taking care of the needy and feeding others. Kay thoroughly enjoyed cooking and baking throughout her life. Her specialties included meat dishes such as pot roast, meat loaf, cubed steak and gravy, and chicken-n-dumplings that would convert the most devout vegetarian into a meat eater along with her divine cakes and pies. She also enjoyed gardening and canning with family and friends throughout her glorious life.

Momma Kay’s continuous smile and bright blue eyes brightened everyone’s day throughout her time on earth. Her faith in Jesus always shined even throughout her final few years while battling dementia and Alzheimer’s. During her battle she composed, “Kay’s Words to Family and Friends,” ensuring us all of her Heavenly presence and encouraged all of her loved ones left behind.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Mose and Delcie Freshour, many aunts and uncles, her husband of over sixty-eight (68) years Lloyd “Dobie” Burnette, daughter-in-law Lynn Burnette, brothers James Linton Freshour and Mose Freshour, sisters Judy Freshour, Elizabeth Freshour, Mary Edith Hill, Ethylene Ottinger, Almeda Baker, and Marcella Burnett, many brothers and sisters-in-law, two nephews, and precious friends.

Kay Freshour Burnette is survived by her sons, Stan and Tim Burnette, daughter-in-law Courtney Burnette, granddaughters Chloe and Camille Burnette, sister Brenda Burns, many special nieces and nephews, fellow church members, friends, colleagues, along with caregiving special friends Donna Russell, Martha Daugherty, and Julie Rochelle who were like family to Momma Kay.

The family would like to thank and recognize the countless nurses and staff members at Viva Senior Living (formerly Commonwealth) and Amedysis Hospice for the outstanding care, love, and compassion they showed during Kay’s fourteen month stay. Their love for our momma and friend was unwavering and unconditional! All of them have a very special place in our hearts.

Kay was a longtime supporter of St. Jude Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital either by mail or on line in honor of Kay Burnette. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in the Smith Trinity Chapel with a Celebration of Kay’s life to follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. Greg Long officiating. Family and friends will assemble at Faubion Cemetery in Parrottsville, TN at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 for the interment service and burial. Condolences may be shared through Smith funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com