Memorial services for Jerry Burkett, 86, of Prentiss will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday June 19, 2023, at Bethany Baptist Church with Jimmy Scott Harvey of Monticello officiating with visitation commencing at 12:30 at Bethany Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Brady Cemetery under the care and direction of Riverwood Family Funeral Service of Brookhaven.
Mr. Burkett peacefully departed from this world in Hattiesburg, MS on Friday, June 16, 2023, after a lengthy illness.
Jerry was born on August 16, 1936, in Jefferson Davis County to Agnes and Jabus Rawls Burkett Sr. As a child growing up in Jefferson Davis County, Jerry enjoyed living amongst a close-knit community of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all descended from the early settler and pioneer families of this area of Mississippi. He felt fortunate to grow up on Burkett Road outside of Prentiss on the same land that had been in his family for generations. Jerry graduated from Prentiss High School and after graduation he attended Mississippi State University where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. Jerry then enlisted in the Air Force as a missile systems maintenance specialist and a career in seismic work in the oil and gas business and the opening and operating of Harvey’s Napa Auto Parts in Prentiss soon followed. Jerry was united in marriage to Ms. Glenda Baker of Houma, Louisiana on April 1, 1965, in Dayton, Ohio.
Jerry began a lifelong relationship with his savior Jesus Christ at Bethany Baptist Church where he served as a consistent member, a Deacon, and a Sunday School teacher for as long as his health permitted. He was one of God’s noble men. Jerry had an amazing ability to fix anything that was broken, he was a problem solver, an excellent manager of his property, a loving father, and a useful member of his community. Multitudes of friends and family streamed to his house to hear words of advice and stories handed down to him from the past. He was a Master Mason, a York Rite Mason, and a Shriner. Jerry devoted his time and resources to the athletic departments of the local schools, and he enjoyed being an avid outdoorsman, a Ham Radio Operator, and kept up with technology his entire life. He was the soul of honor and was respected and loved by all who knew him.
Pallbearers will be Mike Butler, Les Dungan, John Myers, Pastor Tom Jackson, David Miller, and Phillip Herring.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Brett Herring, Daniel Cox, Travis Burkett Smith, Frankie Butler, and Larry Don Spears.
Jerry Burkett was preceded in death by his brother Jabus Rawls Burkett Jr.
He is survived by his sons Jerry Benton Burkett Jr., James Bradly Burkett and Victoria Lynn Burkett. He is survived by three grandchildren; Samantha Burkett, Abigail Lora Burkett, and Garrett Anthony Shepherd. Jerry is also survived by a legion of mourning cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bethany Baptist Church General Fund at PO Box 1316, Prentiss, MS 39474
