Charles Edward Grey Burchfield

Published 10:19 am Thursday, July 28, 2016

A memorial service will be held for Charles Edward Grey Burchfield, of Brookhaven today at 11 a.m. at the Burchfield home, 305A South Church Street, Brookhaven, followed by visitation from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Funeral services are Friday, July 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Jordan Funeral Home in Kosciusko with burial in Parkway Cemetery.

Additional visitation is today, July 28, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Friday, July 29, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Jordan Funeral Home.

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Mr. Burchfield, 87, died Monday, July 25, in Brookhaven.

Mr. Burchfield was a lifelong resident of Attala County, but lived his last seven years in Brookhaven so he and Bettie, his wife of almost 64 years, could be closer to their daughters. 1946 graduate of Ethel High School and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1959 after serving his country in the Korean Conflict as the commander of an M4 Sherman Tank and rising to platoon sergeant in the 45th Infantry Division 179th Tank Company. After his military service, Mr. Burchfield worked at the Kosciusko Water and Light Department, serving as superintendent from 1966 until his retirement in 1994. He was most proud of his role in helping to create the Municipal Energy Agency of Mississippi, which provided steady electric rates in Kosciusko for approximately 30 years.

Mr. Burchfield also served with the Kosciusko Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years. He was a member of the Mississippi chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and the State Water and Pollution Control Operators association, which he helped organize. He was extremely active in civic affairs in Kosciusko, receiving a Golden Shovel Award from the Chamber of Commerce and serving as a longtime member and leader in the Lion’s Club and American Legion. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Kosciusko.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William Edward and Electa Bailey Burchfield; brother, William Ray Burchfield; and sister, Mattie Emma Burchfield.

Survivors are his wife, Bettie; daughters Libby Hewitt and husband, Charlie, of Brookhaven, Amy Owen and husband, Martin, of Birmingham, Jane Bates and husband, Curtis, of Burleson, Texas and Sally Burchfield Doty, of Brookhaven; nine grandchildren, Casey Dixon Knauff and husband, Lt. Col Brian Knauf, stationed at Lakenheath AFB in Suffolk, England, Emily Dixon Anderson and husband, Adam, of Pattville, Alabama, Evan Owen, of Birmingham, Austin Owen, of Birmingham, Josh Battles and wife, Linda, of Brookhaven, Lauren Naddy and husband, Lt. Col. Corey Naddy, stationed at Edwards AFB in California, Ellen Doty, of Brookhaven, Sarah Doty, of Brookhaven, and Benjamin Doty, of Brookhaven; and nine great-grandchildren.