Moorman Walker (Squirrel) Burnette, Jr., age 81, of The Highland House, Clifton Forge, Virginia, and formerly of Valley Ridge, Covington, died Saturday, March 9, 2013 at The Highland House.

He was born in Bedford, Virginia, on November 6, 1931 to the late Moorman Walker Burnette, Sr. and Mary Brown Burnette.

He was a graduate of Covington High School and a Sgt. 1st Class in the Virginia Army National Guard, retiring in 1987 after 35 years.

He worked for Alleghany Motors and was a past member of the Covington Masonic Lodge # 171 A.F. & A.M.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Agner Burnette in 2009.

He is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Persinger and husband, Greg of Clifton Forge; a son, Mark Burnette and wife, Tammy of Richmond; a brother, James Burnette and wife, Helen of Covington; five grandchildren, Shane Burnette and wife, Lindsay, Brian Burnette and wife, Barbara, Kyle Burnette, Cole Burnette, and Casey Burnette; two great grandchildren, Brady Burnette and Campbell Burnette; and his friends at The Highland House and Mountain Regional Hospice.

A graveside funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington with Reverend Edith Snedegar officiating. Interment will follow. There will be no formal visitation. However, the family will visit with friends at the graveside following the service. The family will also be receiving friends any time at the home of Stephanie and Greg Persinger, 4916 McKinney Hollow Road, Clifton Forge.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to The Highland House, 3501 Longdale Furnace Road, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or to Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, PO Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is in charge of arrangements.