Naomi Irene Burnett, age 94, of Benton; passed away at 2:20 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Helia Healthcare of Benton.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating, with burial to follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Leffler Funeral Home.
Naomi was born on August 25, 1932, in Benton, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence McDonald and Opal Marie (Rose) McDonald. She married Leonard Albert “Spike” Burnett on November 24, 1956, and he preceded her in death on December 1, 2014.
Mrs. Burnett retired from Benton High School where she worked as a cook. She also formerly worked as an elevator operator at the Wood Building on the Public Square.
She enjoyed sewing, looking at family pictures, crocheting, working word search puzzles, visiting with her neighbors, eating ice cream, and drinking root beer. Naomi also loved her flowers, strawberry plants and her pet birds, dogs, and cats.
Her family said she never got mad and was always smiling. She was a member of the Church of Christ in West City and enjoyed attending church.
She is survived by her loving children: Danny “Smiley” Burnett and wife Diane of Benton, Illinois, Karen (Burnett) Hancock and husband Jeff of West Frankfort, Illinois, twin daughters who were born on her birthday, Kathy (Burnett) Hill and husband Tom of Benton, Illinois, Judy (Burnett) Jordan and husband Allen of Bethalto, Illinois; grandchildren including: Dedra Rowe and husband Brent of Benton, Illinois, Danessa Burnett of West Frankfort, Illinois, Dylan Burnett and wife Makila “Gina” of Buckner, Illinois, Hunter Hancock of West Frankfort, Illinois, Shawn Hill and Kyle Hill both of Benton, Illinois, Ashley Santos and husband Marco of Lantana, Texas, great-grandchildren: Trenton Rowe, Zachary Rowe, Brenae Rowe, Orion Mandrell, Monroe Moschino, Mason Moschino, Everest Burnett, one to arrive in 2027, and Jordan Santos; her best friend Shirley Wilson at Heritage Woods of Benton, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by father Clarence McDonald, her mother Opal Marie (Rose) McDonald Eubanks, her husband Leonard Burnett, and two sisters: Norma Simpson and Pauline Roberson.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Franklin Hospital, especially the ER staff, staff on the Med-Surg Floor, and the Physical Therapy Department, the staff at Heritage Woods, Helia Healthcare and Residential Hospice. Words cannot say how much each of you are appreciated.
To give condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Naomi, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
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