Submitted by: Dan Rich

Burnetha M. Redman

March 30, 1929 - Dec. 18, 2008

South Bend Tribune 12/21/2008
SOUTH BEND - Burnetha M. "Smoke" Redman, 79, of South Bend, IN, lost her courageous fight with ovarian cancer in the home of her son and caregiver, Billy Redman on Thursday, December 18, 2008. Born to the union of Garrison Haynes and Dorothy (Knox) Haynes, her journey through life began on March 30, 1929, in Mishawaka, IN. Burnetha married Dale W. "Skip" Redman, who preceded her in death. To that union Skip and Smoke had two sons, Gregory A. "Lincoln" Redman and William E. "Billy" Redman. As sick as Mom was, when she received news that her oldest son, "Lincoln," had passed away on November 1, 2008, she made the 1200-mile trip to Florida for the services. Burnetha, "Smoke" or "Burnie," was a homemaker after giving up her job to take care of her husband, Skip, when he was diagnosed with cancer. She added to her family after the death of her husband, by taking in her companion and friend, Brownie, who probably was one of the most spoiled pets around. After losing Brownie, she had a new companion, Buffy. Buffy and Harley, the neighbor, had seven puppies, and of course Smoke had to keep one, so now there was Peppy. Buffy and Peppy, who both survive and will be lost without their friend and caregiver. Also left to cherish her memory are her son, Billy, and his wife, Soni of South Bend, IN; daughter- in-law, Sherry Redman of Englewood, FL; four grandchildren, Dale Redman, Michael Holmes, Mary Ellen Thompson of South Bend, IN, and Melody (Lawton) Graham of Knoxville, TN. Also surviving are 12 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Sierra, Aubriana, Anthony, Bayli, Jerry, Nicholas, Alyssa, Madisyn, Taylor, Tatum and Caylyn; a sister, Mary Matheny of Lakeville; and brothers, Garrison Haynes Jr. of Englewood, FL, and Norman (Beverly) Haynes of Plymouth, IN. Burnetha was preceded in death by both parents, husband, son, sister-in-law, Helen Haynes, and three nieces. She was a very strong woman who never complained through any of her chemotherapy treatments that lasted for over a year. She always took care of everyone else before herself. She was a very giving and generous woman. We will miss you "Smoke" and miss your potato salad; no one will ever replace it. See you soon. We love you.