James Douglas Burnett 1935-2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) —

James Douglas Burnett passed into Heaven on August 28, 2026 at 11:21 after a short illness. He was born in Philadelphia MS on September 18,1935 to the Rev John Wesley Burnett and Fannie Bell Carpenter Burnett. James was a prominent businessman in Vicksburg Mississippi owning Midsouth Lumber and Supply Company. He had celebrated 50 years at Midsouth on April 9, 2026.

James married the love of his life Bobbie Jean McCaffrey on April 23, 1954. They loved managing the family business as well as travel, spending time with their four children and grandchildren and most recently enjoyed watching sports and Gunsmoke. James, known as ‘Mr. B” to many, loved Midsouth and its employees. At 90 years old he still worked 5 days a week, all day until he went into the hospital on June 22, 2026.

James was an ordained Baptist deacon for many years with several churches. He had been involved with several civic organizations including being past president of Rotary Club of Vicksburg, past president of the Salvation Army of Vicksburg, past president of The Gideons International

James loved all sports, especially basketball and baseball. He was a starting player on Bogue Chitto High School Bobcats when they won the State championship in 1952. He went to Co-Lin Junior College on a basketball scholarship. Later, as head coach, he led Hazelhurst High School Indians to a state championship in basketball. He refereed high school basketball in the Miss-Lou area for many years. Although on scholarship for basketball he left and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1953 and served eight years. After God, his wife Bobbie and his children James considered being a Marine his most valued role in his life. He was honorably discharged but always reminded people there was no such thing as an ex-Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine. After the Marine Corp James earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Mississippi College and a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Mississippi State University. Before entering the lumber supply business he taught mathematics at Hazlehurst High School, Natchez High School and the University of Southern Mississippi in Natchez.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Jean McCaffrey Burnett, his children James Douglas (Mike) Burnett Jr and wife Toby Templeton Burnett, Jeffrey Kelly Burnett and wife Marsha Thomas Burnett, Tony Burnett, and Mollie Elizabeth Burnett and husband Johnny Williams. Also, he is survived by his grandchildren Rachel Burnett, Joshua Burnett, Anna Burnett Harris, Leah Burnett Ivey, Will Burnett, James Burnett, Cullen Burnett and Conner Burnett as well as ten great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Betty Burnett Matens, Margaret Burnett Ard, Martha Burnett Beavers as well as two brothers Kenneth Burnett and Leroy Burnett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev John Wesley Burnett and Fannie Bell Burnett, sisters, Helen Burnett Savell, Oneida Burnett Brantley, Chalotte Burnett Loper, and brothers Arden Burnett, Adrian Burnett, Robert Burnett and John Burnett.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on September 18, 2026, his 91st birthday, at Fisher Riles Funeral Home on 5000 Indiana Ave, Vicksburg MS 39180. Visitation is 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the service begins at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please donate to Vicksburg camp (U23120), Vicksburg Gideons, PO Box 821712, Vicksburg, MS 39182-1712, or The Salvation Army (checks to Salvation Army / 530 Mission Ave / Vicksburg MS 39180 or you can donate through the web site salvationarmyUSA.org). These donations will stay in our area. If you donate in Memory of James Burnett it notifies the Burnett family allowing an opportunity to thank you for your donation.