Lucile S. Burnham

Mrs. Bonnie Lucile Simpson Burnham, age 98, of Laurel, Mississippi, passed away at The Goldton at Adelaide in Starkville, Mississippi, on Monday, August 10, 2026. Lucile was born on May 18, 1928, in Clarke County, Mississippi. After graduating high school, she moved to Waynesboro, Mississippi to work and later met the love of her life, James W. Burnham. She and James (JW) lived in Laurel, Mississippi, where they raised three boys: Don, Darrell and Brian. Lucile worked as a legal secretary when not at home raising her family. She loved to play Bridge with JW, her Bridge Club and friends, as time allowed. She was a member of West Laurel Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, and raised her children to love Jesus Christ. Lucile was also an active member of the Country Club Hills Garden Club. At home, Lucile loved working in her yard and taking care of her numerous azaleas, flowers and other plants. She was an accomplished seamstress making clothes, drapes, and other items that could be seen around her house. Lucile displayed to her boys that reading the Bible was important, and that she loved her God. She loved James and the boys with all of her being, and sacrificed things for herself to ensure that they had enough. Lucile taught and expected her boys to be respectful of others, and she was not afraid to apply corrective action as needed. She was preceded in death by her husband, James William Burnham; son, Dr. William Darrell Burnham (Tracy McMahon Burnham); grandson, Tyler Patrick Burnham; parents, A.F. and Bonnie Cook Simpson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Devon and Lousie Simpson, Raymond and Peggy Simpson, and Tommy and Betty Simpson. She is survived by two sons, James Donald Burnham (Carol), and Brian Franklin Burnham (Beckie); and daughter-in-law, Tracy Burnham. Lucile had nine grandchildren: Joshua Burnham, Eric Burnham, Bethany Bryant, Sarah Kimbrough, Luke Burnham, Drew Burnham, Daniel Burnham, Allison Wahl and Thomas Burnham; and 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, MS, on Thursday, August 27,2026, from 10-11 a.m. with the service immediately following at 11 a.m. Josh Burnham will officiate. Interment will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Laurel. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Joshua Burnham, Eric Burnham, Luke Burnham, Drew Burnham, Daniel Burnham, and Thomas Burnham. The family extends their sincere thanks to the Memory Care Staff at the Goldton in Starkville, MS, the Gentiva Hospice Staff, Malicka Edwards, Irma Jean Guy, Shirley Ross, Stephanie Vaughn and Brittini Hill who cared for her until she met Jesus. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.memorychapellaurel.com

Lucile S. Burnham

May 18, 1928 - August 10, 2026