Burnette Finally Laid To Rest


By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

The funeral services over the remains of the late veteran sportsman Samuel Nathaniel Burnette, Jr. took take place on Friday, August 11, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church on Ashmun Street.

The occasion was attended by children and family members of the deceased as well as former players, officials, fans and current players of both the football and basketball squads of Invincible Eleven (IE).

There were also prominent individuals that included Cllr. Charles Brumskine, Hon. Wesley Johnson, Liberia Football Association (LFA) boss, Cllr. Izetta Wesley, Deputy Sports Minister Marbue Richards and former IE president Kadieyattu Diarrah-Findley.

Many wept as the casket of the late Burnette was being carried from the First United Methodist Church throughout the streets of Monrovia.
He was finally laid to rest at the Palm Grove Cemetery on Center Street.

The likes of former soccer stars Antony Nagbe, Fallah Lahai and Jokar Wreachar were among those who were seeing crying as an indication that the late “SB” would be missed by those who benefitted from his generosity.

On Thursday, August 10, 2006, the body of the late Burnette was removed from the Samuel Striker Funeral Home in Sinkor and escorted appropriately to the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) where wake-keeping took place before being taken to his home on Airfield shortcut road for silent wake-keeping.

A number of dignitaries including Clubs Presidents, Members of the Executive Committee, Referees, Sub-Committees and Associations officials, as well as officials of Affiliates attended the wake-keeping and were also part of the funeral ceremony.

Mr. Burnette died on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 after a long period of illness after he was struck by stroke.

He served as Chairman and President of the LFA, former President and Captain of IE and player of the national soccer team, the Lone Star.