Roland Burnett, 92, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on October 10, 2025. A devoted husband, minister, and servant of God, Roland lived a life marked by humility, faith, and unwavering dedication to his calling.
He was born on May 31, 1933, in Lubbock, Texas, to John L. Burnett and Evie Lumpkin. Roland was raised in Levelland and graduated from Whitharral High School. It was on the quiet plains of West Texas, often behind the wheel of a John Deere tractor, that Roland first heard the call to ministry—his sermons beginning not in a pulpit, but in prayerful solitude among the fields.
After farming for several years, Roland pursued his theological education in Plainview and later at Southwestern Theological Seminar. He faithfully served at Friendship Baptist Church for 20 years where he met the love of his life, Alice Watkins. They were married on February 2, 1985, in Bonham, Texas, and shared a deep and abiding love rooted in faith and mutual devotion.
In 2002, after retirement from full-time ministry, Roland and Alice moved to Capitan, New Mexico, where he continued to serve as pastor of Canaan Trail Baptist Church for another 18 years. Even in his later years, his heart remained firmly anchored in ministry, shepherding others with wisdom, compassion, and the deep assurance of his faith.
Due to health concerns, Roland and Alice later relocated to Van Alstyne, Texas. Through every season of life, Roland remained a godly man—steady in prayer, generous in spirit, and deeply loved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Alice Burnett of Van Alstyne, Texas; son, Keith Burnett of Scottsboro, Alabama; son, Paul Burnett of Lewisville, Texas; daughter, Melissa Murphy of Littleton, Colorado; daughter, Cindy Kirk of Lubbock, Texas; nine grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; sister, Anita Mandrell of Olten, Texas; brother, Jerry Burnett of Brown Field, Texas; and a host of other loving family and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2025, at Friendship Baptist Church, 270 Country Club Road, Fairview, Texas 75069. Following the service, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service.