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Although our hearts are broken, we rejoice that our precious mother & grandmother is now walking the streets of heaven in a new body, free of the ailments that restricted her here on this earth. Frances Gaynell Walley Burnett was born to Billy Carl and Ora Williams Walley on June 9, 1943, in Guntersville, Alabama, and left this walk of life on August 25, 2025, in Hanceville, Alabama.
Gaynell’s love for her family, her church, her friends, and her Savior was beyond measure. She was always quick to tell others about and brag on her three children, her seven grandchildren, and her ten great grandchildren. She always welcomed the opportunity to gather as a family and enjoy good food and lots of laughter.
Gaynell was a charter member of Eastside Baptist Church, Arab, where she served in many capacities: Children’s Sunday School & VBS Teacher, Pianist, expert “Fall Fest Sucker Tree Enthusiast”, and librarian. She was instrumental in setting up the church library and encouraged others to join in her avid love of reading.
Her love for others was evident. While still physically able, she could be found visiting neighbors and looking for ways she could minister to them. For years, she maintained a “card ministry” to rival all others. If you ever crossed paths with her and developed any kind of relationship, you would get birthday and Christmas cards, as well as any other card she could find to brighten your day.
In addition to playing the piano, Gaynell’s other passions include growing various plants and flowers (her front porch looked like a greenhouse), crocheting (many babies have been wrapped in afghans, booties, and caps created by her), and learning (she was always looking for ways to increase her knowledge and loved a challenging game of Scrabble and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune).
Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, her son Paul Burnett, granddaughter Christina Walker, and two great grandsons, Rhyett and Rowan Burnett. Left behind to carry on her legacy and cherish her memories are her daughters, Darlene Garrett (Mike), and Deborah Walker (Denton Baker); her grandchildren, Jeremy Garrett (Debbie), Daniel Walker, Kellye Garrett, Jace Garrett (Alana), Jacob Burnett (MaryAnn), and Gregory Peak; and great-grandchildren Micayla Garrett (Brendan Roberts), Addyson Garrett, Jackson Garrett, Leah Garrett, Sam Garrett (due 9/22/25), Serenity Dorn, Collin Dorn, Rygil Burnett, Rylyn Burnett and Elizabeth Peak.
Visitation for Gaynell will be at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Services will be held at Eastside Baptist Church on Friday, August 29. She will lie-in-state beginning at 1:00 with the funeral service at 2:00pm. Bro Rick Douglas & Bro. Kenny Mullins will be officiating. Pall bearers will be Jeremy Garrett, Jace Garrett, Jacob Burnett, Brendan Roberts, Chris Walley and Greg Walley. Honorary pall bearers will be Daniel Walker, Jackson Garrett, Denton Baker, and Gregory Peak. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Lynsey Cornelius and the nurses & CNAs of Harmony Hills at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab, and Jodie, Dustin, Tyler, and the rest of the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their loving care and compassion for our mother and grandmother over the last several months. What a blessing you have been!
Although our hearts are broken, we rejoice that our precious mother & grandmother is now walking the streets of heaven in a new body, free of the ailments that restricted her here on this earth. Frances Gaynell Walley Burnett was born to Billy Carl and Ora Williams Walley on June 9, 1943, in Guntersville, Alabama, and left this walk of life on August 25, 2025, in Hanceville, Alabama.Gaynell’s love for her family, her church, her friends, and her Savior was beyond measure. She was always quick to tell others about and brag on her three children, her seven grandchildren, and her ten great grandchildren. She always welcomed the opportunity to gather as a family and enjoy good food and lots of laughter.
Gaynell was a charter member of Eastside Baptist Church, Arab, where she served in many capacities: Children’s Sunday School & VBS Teacher, Pianist, expert “Fall Fest Sucker Tree Enthusiast”, and librarian. She was instrumental in setting up the church library and encouraged others to join in her avid love of reading.
Her love for others was evident. While still physically able, she could be found visiting neighbors and looking for ways she could minister to them. For years, she maintained a “card ministry” to rival all others. If you ever crossed paths with her and developed any kind of relationship, you would get birthday and Christmas cards, as well as any other card she could find to brighten your day.
In addition to playing the piano, Gaynell’s other passions include growing various plants and flowers (her front porch looked like a greenhouse), crocheting (many babies have been wrapped in afghans, booties, and caps created by her), and learning (she was always looking for ways to increase her knowledge and loved a challenging game of Scrabble and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune).
Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, her son Paul Burnett, granddaughter Christina Walker, and two great grandsons, Rhyett and Rowan Burnett. Left behind to carry on her legacy and cherish her memories are her daughters, Darlene Garrett (Mike), and Deborah Walker (Denton Baker); her grandchildren, Jeremy Garrett (Debbie), Daniel Walker, Kellye Garrett, Jace Garrett (Alana), Jacob Burnett (MaryAnn), and Gregory Peak; and great-grandchildren Micayla Garrett (Brendan Roberts), Addyson Garrett, Jackson Garrett, Leah Garrett, Sam Garrett (due 9/22/25), Serenity Dorn, Collin Dorn, Rygil Burnett, Rylyn Burnett and Elizabeth Peak.
Visitation for Gaynell will be at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Services will be held at Eastside Baptist Church on Friday, August 29. She will lie-in-state beginning at 1:00 with the funeral service at 2:00pm. Bro Rick Douglas & Bro. Kenny Mullins will be officiating. Pall bearers will be Jeremy Garrett, Jace Garrett, Jacob Burnett, Brendan Roberts, Chris Walley and Greg Walley. Honorary pall bearers will be Daniel Walker, Jackson Garrett, Denton Baker, and Gregory Peak. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Lynsey Cornelius and the nurses & CNAs of Harmony Hills at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab, and Jodie, Dustin, Tyler, and the rest of the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their loving care and compassion for our mother and grandmother over the last several months. What a blessing you have been!
