Burnell Skelton

Burnell Skelton went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He was 87 years old. He was affectionately known as Wormie.

Burnell grew up in Williston on his family farm. In his early years, Burnell worked in his family’s logging and sawmill business and served in the Army. Through friends, he met Margaret Jane Graham. The two were married in Henderson, TN on December 26, 1962. They were married for 38 years until Margaret Jane passed in 2000. Margaret Jane and Burnell had one child, Cindy. Burnell married Dell Teague Graham in 2004.

Burnell drove a truck across the country for Hart Manufacturing, then became an independent truck driver. He served as a fireman for the Somerville Fire Department for many years and drove for Dandridge Equipment on his days off. Burnell and Margaret Jane briefly owned the Lunchbox Restaurant on the square in Somerville. He drove a truck for Fowler Paving in his later years.

He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Somerville. Burnell volunteered with the Fayette County Rescue Squad. He raised cattle and horses. He became a skilled horse trader. Since his retirement, he enjoyed spending time at the Tennessee River.

Burnell loved his family, friends, and horses. He rode in the National Field Trial Championships for many years. Perhaps no one loved a good joke or gag as much as Burnell. He was known for lending a hand to many in need. Burnell was a wonderful husband, father, pop and friend. He never left the side of Margaret Jane or Dell during their battles with cancer.

Burnell was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma and Irby Skelton, his two wives Margaret Jane Graham Skelton and Dell Teague Graham Skelton and his siblings Roger Skelton, Evelyn Milligan, Jack Skelton and an infant brother. He is survived by his daughter Cindy Treadway (John) of Somerville, step-son Troy Graham (Cynthia) of Memphis, step-daughter Stephanie Andrews (Jon) of Millington and his four grandchildren Jordan Herron, Trey Treadway (Allie), Sean Andrews, and Hayes Graham, Pete Skelton Brewer who Burnell raised when his father passed, as well as sister Natalie (Richard) Dinwiddie.

Funeral Services for Mr. Skelton were held at 2 P.M. Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. David Reeves, pastor of Midway Baptist Church in Whiteville, officiating. Interment followed in Somerville City Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Trey Treadway, Nick Milhorn, Michael Dinwiddie, David Dinwiddie, Randy Skelton, Hayes Graham, Sean Andrews and Daniel Treadway. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Boyd Parker, Roy Gobbell, Dave Fowler, Larry Graham, Spike Steinert, Sonny Prewitt, Alan Montgomery, Pete Skelton and Floyd Glover.