CORDELE — What some thought would be a “roast” of Jean Burnette turned out to be a well-deserved “toast” instead to the longtime City of Cordele official Thursday night at the Retreat at Lake Blackshear.

The large turnout for the 2009 version of the “This Is Your Life” event held annually in conjunction with the Watermelon Days Festival heard only glowing words spoken of Burnette who is in her 50th year as a city employee.

From Frank Hudson, the honoree’s brother who kicked off the comments about her, to fellow Lions Club member Billy Hancock, who closed out the remarks about the city manager by the half-dozen or so speakers, the praise flowed not only freely but earnestly.

Hudson briefly told of his sister’s early childhood and school days in both Dooly County where she lived until age 10 and Pineview where she received her secondary education diploma.

He also spoke fondly of Burnette’s grandfather who in the 1920s became one of the first people to generate electricity by placing a windmill on the roof of his home and of an uncle who was one of the first corporate pilots.

Steve Burnette said the first thing his mother jokingly told him when she learned he would be one of those speaking at the fete was, “don’t tell any tales and don’t embarrass me.”

He painted a picture of his mother as “big on family” and added that trait must have rubbed off on him and his three siblings who accompanied him to the podium “as we’ve all been married 25 years or more.”

He also fondly described Burnette as “a very typical mom” and one who “goes all out for her grandkids who’ll be quick to tell you she’s a shopaholic.”

In reflecting upon her dedicated tenure with the city which she has served in a number of capacities since beginning work there in 1959 as the director of urban renewal, he observed, “she’s been working there longer than I’ve been alive.”

City commission chairman Zack Wade recalled that when Burnette came to work for the city, the space age was upon us, Dwight Eisenhower was president, a postage stamp cost four cents and the minimum wage was $1 an hour.

“Thanks to Mrs. Burnette, the land City Hall is built on and that the new courthouse is being constructed upon came as the result of her efforts (while serving as urban renewal director)” as did the railroad overpasses on Fifth Street and 24th Avenue.

Before presenting her with a key to the city, Wade emphasized that “virtually ever area of the city has been touched by her hand.”

Wade’s fellow city commissioner, Jeannie Bartee, began her remarks by observing that she had “roasted a turkey, a hen, prime rib and rib loin but had never roasted a friend — especially one that’s just come through the valley of the shadow of death (a reference to Burnette’s recent heart attack).”

In reflecting upon the era that the honoree began work with the city, Bartee said there were “two police cars, one motorcycle and six police officers” — a far cry from the comparable numbers of today.

She also lauded Burnette’s ability while serving as community development director. “No one can apply for and receive grants as expeditiously as she can,” said Bartee who noted the honoree also was due huge credit for the success the Sam Shortline railroad.