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Lyda Alice James Burnham
Lyda Alice James Burnham
(June 28, 1929 – October 12, 2021)
Lyda Alice Burnham went to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 15 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Magee, Mississippi from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. Services will be Saturday, October 16, in the chapel of the
funeral home. Interment will be in Puckett Cemetery.
Mrs. Burnham was born June 28, 1929, to the late Alston and Minnie Posey James. She graduated from Polkville High School, Jones Junior College, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
She was a retired English teacher, having taught thirty-year years in Simpson, Smith, Scott, and Rankin counties. The last thirty years of her teaching career were spent at Puckett High School. In addition to her teaching duties, she served either as senior class sponsor or yearbook advisor and sometimes both at the same time.
Among her many honors included STAR teacher, yearbook dedication, and teacher appreciation. She was included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, was recommended for inclusion in Who’s Who in Mississippi and was nominated National Teacher of the Year. In the year of her retirement in 1991, she was selected Teacher of the Year at Puckett High School.
During her retirement years, she enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, and cooking. She especially enjoyed making quilts for her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was a member of the Puckett United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Ruben Burnham, Jr. and by her sons, Ralph Ruben Burnham, III and Bruce Alston Burnham.
Survivors include two granddaughters Emily (Sim) Anderson of Mendenhall and Sara (Chris) Tuggle of Magee; her grandson, Barron Burnham, of Forest; great grandchildren Karley Anderson, Carter Pinkerton, Briar Anderson, and Swayze Tuggle; sister Lillie Mae (Henry) Burnham of Fort Worth, TX; daughter-in-law Debbie Burnham of Forest; daughter-in-law Martha Cottle and husband, John, of Magee; and daughter-in-law Karen Burnham.
The family gives special thanks to the staff of Lakeview Assisted Living Center of Magee and her care team at Simpson General Hospital in Mendenhall.
Pallbearers will be Barron Burnham, Bill Murphy, Chris Tuggle, Sim Anderson, Carter Pinkerton, Scotty Cole, and Carlton Allen.
Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com
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