Malcolm Harvey Burnette

Malcolm Harvey Burnette went home peacefully to meet his Savior and Lord on December 2, 2021 at his North Myrtle Beach residence where he was cared for by his devoted family and friends. Mac was born on February 12,1944, in South Boston, VA to Joseph Harrison Burnette, nicknamed "Smokey Joe" because of his auctioneering skill, and Ruby Virginia Talley Burnette. Mac was a unique and self-motivated individual with a love for meeting people.He was a doting father to his three girls and a loyal husband and friend.Possessing the gift of gab, he never met a stranger.He was a member of Clarksville Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, sang in the church choir, and enjoyed Sunday School and Bible study.While living and working in North Myrtle Beach for a period of time, he was a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church where he also sang bass in the choir and delighted in Community Bible Study Fellowship.He volunteered his time at the Good News Club, an after school Christian education program for children held in the public schools, specifically North Myrtle Beach Elementary. Mac graduated from Bluestone High School, attended Wingate College, and served in the US Army Reserves.He plunged into tobacco auctioneering after his father died, encouraged by some tobacconists who told him that if his father could do it, so could he.Eventually he sold at markets in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. During the off season he operated Burnette Auction and Land Company in his hometown of Clarksville, VA.In 1981, he was named the first World Champion Tobacco Auctioneer at a festival held in Danville, VA, sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.As a result, he traveled extensively for a year making appearances and doing various auctions. A favorite event was the James Beard Foundation's annual fund raiser in New York City, which he did for ten years until the debt on the restoration of the James Beard House was retired.In 1997, Mac retired from tobacco auctioneering and went to North Myrtle Beach to work for Bluegreen Corporation as a salesperson. Later he joined the sales force at Devaun Park, in Calabash, NC, a traditionally designed neighborhood on the Calabash River. Mac is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vicky Lynn Smith Burnette, his three daughters, Holly Burnette of Clarksville, Hope Melton of Glen Allen, and Avee Runser of Davidson, NC; sons-in-law Dr. Adam Melton and Dr. Lloyd Runser; Grandchildren Ruby and Joe Melton, Rose and Mac Runser; a brother, Alex Burnette and his wife Zalene of Roxboro, NC; a sister-in-law Cherry Burnette of South Boston, VA; a brother-in-law, Hank Immel of Clarksville, VA.He was predeceased by a brother Robert "Bob" Burnette of South Boston, VA and a sister Betty Jo Burnette of Clarksville, VA and a niece, Ginger Burnette of South Boston.Other family members living in Farmville, VA include brothers -in-law Gordon Smith and wife, Deb, and Stanley Smith and wife, Kathy. The extended family consists of numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare and ABC Senior Services for the loving care their staff provided for Mac at home in his final days. A public graveside service will be held at Gravel Hill Baptist Church, 1662 Carter’s Point Road, Buffalo Junction, VA on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 2 PM.Masks are requested for those who wish to join the family in the Fellowship Hall of the church after the service. In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to the Good News Club in honor of Mac. The address is ODPC, PO Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 and designate the Good News Club in the memo line,or use a charity of your choosing. 1 John 4:18 says, "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." Online condolences may be made at www.wclfh.com. The family is being served by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, 703 Virginia Ave., Clarksville, VA.