Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bobby Joe Burnham – Obituary

Bobby Joe Burnham, age 77 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away Thursday afternoon, January 28, 2016, at 4:13 PM at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky.

Bobby was born June 13, 1938 in Metropolis, Illinois.  He was the third of nine children born to Clarence and Lily (Williams) Burnham.

On October 11, 1963, Bobby was united in marriage to Rose Rushing at Corinth, Mississippi.  She survives.

Other survivors include: 4 children – Virgil (Felicia) Burnham of Brookport, Phyllis (Mike) Lewis of Metropolis, Deborah (Don) Freeman of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Bobby (Angie) Burnham of the Round Knob community; 10 grandchildren – Brandon, Heather, Adam, David, Daniel, Randy, Phillip, Brandon, April, and Anthony; 2 “adopted” granddaughters – Nikki and Michelle; 12 great grandchildren – Trenton, Jordan, Ava, Drayten, Brooke, Lindsey, McKenzie, Bobby, T.J. Ethan, David & Emily; a sister – Mary Alice Baker of Grand Chain; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, including his oldest and dear cousin, Billie Moore, along with her family who considered Bobby as their “grandpappy.”

In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by: 2 grandsons – David Hart and Dustin Burnham; a granddaughter – Jennifer Burnham; 4 brothers – Charlie, Frankie, Edgar and Russell; and 3 sisters – Irene, Doris, and Dorothy.

Bobby is fondly remembered by his family as a “jack-of-all-trades.”  He had worked as a parking garage manager in Chicago.  Later, Bobby was employed at the Indiana Girls School in Indianapolis as a security guard, maintenance technician and grounds man.  He had also been employed as a station attendant by Jack Jones at Smallman’s Garage in Metropolis.  Bobby had also worked as a farmer and had been employed by Westview Farms as well as working as a tree trimmer.

Bobby attended the New Hope Baptist Church.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced.

Memorials may be made to the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center (Lourdes Foundation), 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.