Julia Goodwin Burnett Scholarship
In memory of Rev. Dr. Marshall E. Burnett, Jr.
Rev. Dr. Marshall E. Burnett, Jr. passed away peacefully at his residence in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on July 17th with his family at his side at the age of 98. The last four years of his life were spent with the wonderful family of Brookdale Assisted Living in Hattiesburg. The final weeks of his life were made comfortable by the amazing staff of Gentiva Hospice. The family is eternally grateful for both of these organizations.
Dr. Burnett, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, graduated from Meridian High School in May of 1943. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. After training at Camp Shelby, in Hattiesburg, he was stationed for three years in Burma, India during World War II. Education was always a focus of Dr. Burnett and his family and, upon his return from the war, he entered college and graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson. During his college years, he met his future wife, Lynn Wilson Burnett, of Vaughan, Mississippi. They were married on August 27th in 1950 at Lynn’s home church, Black Jack Baptist Church in Vaughan, Mississippi.
Dr. Burnett immediately began working after graduating from college in Canton and Yazoo City, Mississippi. It was not long, however, before he realized God’s call on his life as he followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the ministry. The couple moved to Durham, North Carolina where he received a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1956 from Duke University. Upon graduation, they moved back to their home state and Dr. Burnett served the United Methodist Conference of Mississippi as a pastor for over 55 years. While serving full-time in the ministry, he continued his pursuit of education and graduated with his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981. He served more than 15 congregations in central and south Mississippi and, in retirement served as a visitation pastor and hospice chaplain. He fully retired from the ministry at the age of 83. The collection of sermons he preached during his 55 years are archived at the Library of William Carey University where they will serve to inspire a future generation of pastors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to the Julia Goodwin Burnett scholarship at William Carey University. Questions regarding donations can be directed to (601) 318-6526.