Tarboro -

Sally Burnette, age 73, passed away early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026 at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, NC. Born in Edgecombe County on May 10, 1952, Sally was the oldest of three daughters blessed to Lewis and Vivian Morgan. She was a loyal and devoted hard worker who entered the working world as a teenager in a local downtown store. Years later, while employed at Embarq, she decided to earn a higher education degree and enrolled at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Her determined commitment paid off as she completed a BS degree in Business Administration.

While known for this tenacity, Sally had a resilient spirit and a zest for life. Being vivacious and fun loving, she always wore a smile and loved a destination trip. Some of her favorite destinations included  Ocracoke Island, Key West and New York City. New York brought out her talents for shopping. She was a shopping queen who could shop till she dropped. Somehow, Sally always managed to find the perfect gift for any occasion. This was truly a special talent. With many talents and accomplishments, the thing Sally was most proud of was her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchild.  "Ma" you will be greatly missed and will live in our hearts forever.

In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her husbands, Fred Bobbitt and later, Donnie Burnette.

She is survived by a loving family that includes two daughters, Fredra Burnette Knight (Johnny Mitchell) and Susan Burnette (Marty Bottoms), all of Rocky Mount; sisters, Sharon Spain (Ben) and Shelley Greene, all of Tarboro. She was affectionately known as "Ma" to her beloved grandchildren, Austin Knight (Kayla), Wesley Mitchell, Waylon Lewis, Kenleigh Wynne, Michael Wynne, Matthew Bottoms, Brantley Bottoms, Braxton Bottoms, and Zach Bottoms, and her great-grandson, Weldon Knight.

Sally will also be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, family friends, and other extended relatives.

Please join family and friends for a special service of remembrance at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church, 7657 NC Highway 33 NW, Tarboro, NC 27886 with Bishop Jessie Blalock officiating.  Interment will follow in the Churchyard Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 - 1:45pm.

Flowers are welcome -or- memorial donations may be made in Sally's honor to the American Heart Association HERE