Jerreal "Jake" E. Burnley

Jerreal Burnley, known to friends and family as Jake, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Baptist Medical Center- Golden Triangle in Columbus, MS. He was 85 years old and was a longtime resident of Noxubee County, MS. His funeral service will be held at Mashulaville Baptist Church at 2:00 P.M. Friday, June 17. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. at the church. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Mashulaville Cemetery Fund % Eddie Gaylord 38501 MS Hwy 14, Macon, MS 39341. Cockrell Funeral Home (www.cockrellfuneralhome.com) is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Jake Burnley was born in the Sallis community of Attala County, MS on June 18, 1930 to the late Leon Story and Clara Boling Burnley and lived his formative years there, graduating from the local high school. He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served two years. Upon his return from service, he began working in the construction industry, specifically as a heavy equipment operator doing road construction. For a brief time he was employed by the oil fields in Jones County, MS and later began working for Phillips Contracting. He remained with this company until his retirement in 1995. He met the love of his life, Jeanette Richards, whom he married in September of 1956 and remained her loving companion until her death in 2002. After years in the construction business, Mr. Burnley was accustomed to being outside and continued this habit after retirement by pursuing two of his favorite hobbies: gardening and cutting grass. He enjoyed listening to music on his radio and was a faithful member of Mashulaville Baptist Church.

Mr. Burnley is survived by one daughter: Lissa Wilson of New Albany, MS and by one son: Gary Hurt of Columbus, MS as well as by four grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother: Bob Burnley of Monroe, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother, and one sister.