Samuel J. Burnett went to his Savior and heavenly home on Saturday, June 6, 2020. He was born May 3, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to Arthur Elwood Burnett and Docia Alice (Field) Burnett.

Bro. Sam was an ordained Southern Baptist minister and missionary to Southeast Asia. He came to know the Lord at the age of 7; however, he fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ at the age of 17 years old when he accepted God's call on his life to do, go, and be wherever He wanted him to be. Bro. Sam poured his life into others, loving them gently and unconditionally, challenging them to be who God wanted them to be. His greatest desire was to see that others come to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. He has been described as a "Man of Faith, humble servant, mentor, father figure, encourager, Godly influencer, and friend." To best describe Bro. Sam would be "Christ's Shepherd." Whether he was at the church or in the community at a ballgame, he was influencing others pointing them towards Jesus. His one desire about this obituary/eulogy was that it not be about him but pointing others to Christ.

He attended Southwestern University where he met his wife and graduated from Wayland University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bro. Sam's first pastorate was during his years at Southwestern to a small African American church where they helped him get over some of his prejudices he experienced as a child and understand the true love of God for all people. Bro. Sam pastored Southern Baptist churches in Challis and Telephone, Texas; Mt Vernon and Friendship in Detroit, Michigan; and Holdenville, Oklahoma. He retired from the pastorate at Garnett Road Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK after 14 years of service at which time he accepted God's call to missions in Southeast Asia. Bro. Sam became known as Bac Sam or Uncle Sam to the people he served in Vietnam. He deeply loved the people of Vietnam and it can be said, he had two hearts and he left one in Vietnam. He truly never retired from the ministry as he continued to minister to those he met. He would also say that he didn't serve alone, he served alongside as a team with his loving partner and wife, Donna.

In addition to his ministry, some of his great loves were high school/college sporting events and time spent with his family. He was also actively involved with the local Baptist Association. Sam was known to go to a softball game or basketball tournament without having any family on the teams playing because of his love for the game. Every fall, the Coweta Athletics department had his All Sports pass ready and waiting on him. He valued his time spent with his fellow pastors praying over the needs of the community and planning how to reach others for Christ. Each year, he treasured his trips with Donna, Suzann, Greta, and other family members or friends to Branson for the Southern Gospel Music festival at Silver Dollar City. His favorite Southern Gospel song is Four Days Late by Karen Peck and New River which speaks of God's timing and His constant presence in our lives.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Sue (Cooper) Burnett, and 3 children: Suzann Burnett of Coweta, OK; Docia Gayle Garrett of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and Aaron Burnett (Brenda) of Watseka, Illinois. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emma Garrett, Sarah Neeley (Ryan), Laura Garrett, Michaela Garrett, and Aidan, Isla, and Ethan Burnett. He had the pleasure to greet his great-grandsons, Carter and Carson Neeley one day before his homecoming. He is also survived by his oldest sister, Alice Bearden of Duncan, Oklahoma and countless nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Sam. He is proceeded in death by his parents, A.E. Burnett and Docia Burnett; his sister, Barbara Decker; brother, Tommy Burnett, and his son-n-law, Tom Garrett.

Visitation will be 6-8 PM, Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at Garnett Road Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M., Thursday, June 11, 2020 at Garnett Road Baptist Church. Graveside service will be 1:00 P.M., Friday, June 12, 2020 at Walters Cemetery, Walters, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233