Sheila Culpepper Burnett

Sheila Shannon Culpepper Burnett 87, passed away on April 24th, 2025. She was born in Nash County, N.C. to the late Harvey Andrew Culpepper and Mable Parker Culpepper.

Sheila grew up in Rocky Mount, N.C and she graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1956. She was a member of the National Honors Society and held office and participated in various school clubs and organizations. Not long after high school, she met her future husband and the love of her life, Bob Burnett, Sr. on a blind date and married him after seeing him face to face only 3 times. They were married 25 years before his early death, but during those years they built a home, family and local appliance business together. Upon her husband’s death in 1984, Sheila assumed the role of Owner and President of Bob Burnett’s Appliance & TV in downtown Spartanburg. When her son, Bob Burnett, Jr., became the President & Owner of the business in 2003, Sheila continued to work in the business well into her 80s and is known throughout town as the “Matriarch” of the business.

Sheila was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was an Elder, President of the Women, Circle Chairman, and participated in various church groups for more than 60 years. Serving the Lord and being a faithful witness to Him was her strongest passion in life.

Sheila leaves behind many friends, business customers, and a large extended Burnett and Culpepper family. Her family will miss her dearly, including her son, Bob Burnett, Jr. (Becky) of Spartanburg; daughter, Angie Burnett Kelly (Frank) of Spartanburg; grandchildren, Blake Burnett (Lauren) and Breanna Burnett; step-grandchildren, Chris Kelly (Jenn) and Justin Kelly (Katy); great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Lyla, and Kennedi; and step-great-grandchildren, Nate and Olivia.

Sheila is also survived by her brother, Dennis W. Culpepper (Brenda) of Rocky Mount; her sisters, Amie C. Hunt of Raleigh and Jeanette Culpepper of Rocky Mount; and her brother-in-law, Donald L. Burnett, Sr. (Loretta), and many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loves.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Milton C. Culpepper (surviving wife, Lucy) of Rocky Mount, Vernon Clay Culpepper, Sr. (Alva) of Raleigh, Harvey A. Culpepper (Ann) of Waynesville, NC, Jackson B. Culpepper of Rocky Mount, and John W. Culpepper (surviving partner, Robin) of Savannah, GA; and sisters, Merle C. Taylor of Rocky Mount and Lula C. Thomas of Boca Raton, FL.

A service to celebrate Sheila’s life will be 3:00pm on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 305 Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307. The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00-2:45pm prior to the service in the church sanctuary. The graveside burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

The family would also like to thank Comfort Keepers of Spartanburg, and the management staff, for the excellent and wonderful care they provided our mother for many years. We are eternally grateful and would like to especially express our unwavering gratitude to Olga, Rebeccah, Rose, Gina, Earline, and Sandy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.