Carl Richard Burkett, Jr.

Carl Richard Burkett, Jr., 68, of Ray City, GA, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026, at his residence after a sudden illness. Mr. Burkett was born in Bethesda, Maryland, to Carl Richard Burkett, Sr. and Alma Lee Bennett Backhus. Raised by his mother, Alma Lee, Carl spent his life near her as he grew up in Hahira and Homerville and later made Ray City his home. In the same way he stayed close to her in life, he has now been reunited with her, having been laid to rest at Shiloh Cemetery.

Mr. Burkett graduated from Valdosta City High School and served in the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in 1976. He then attended Valdosta Technical School from January 1977 through December 1979, graduating with a Machine Shop Diploma. Mr. Burkett worked as a Deckhand and Cook in Louisiana in the 1980s and later retired from Fabtronics as a skilled Welder and Machinist. An outdoorsman at heart, Carl always enjoyed fishing, gardening, growing fruit trees, and tending to the roses around his house, finding peace in the quiet moments spent watching the hummingbirds at his feeders.

In September 1981, Carl married Terry Lynn E'Dalgo Burkett of Ray City, and together they had six children. Although they divorced in September 1999, the two remained close friends over the years. Carl made his home less than 15 minutes away from Terry, and as of the end of 2025, they enjoyed long talks on the back porch and watching the hummingbirds together.

Family members include his children: Misty Hernandez (Fernando); Tara Moncayo of Ray City; Kathern Lynn Burkett of Ray City; Kimberly Burkett; Anthony Gavin Burkett of Ray City; Lawrence Richard Burkett (Sara) of Tennessee; Johnathan Carl Burkett; and Little Carl Burkett.

His legacy continues through his grandchildren: Fernando Christopher Hernandez, Isabella Annie 'Lou Hernandez, Larry Burkett, Lilly Burkett, Aiden Michael Burkett, and Abby Lynn Burkett. Other family includes his sisters, Lorraine O’Neal and Laura Lee Calvert (Mike), as well as several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held at Shiloh Cemetery in Homerville. 

Roundtree Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.