John F. Burt

A memorial service for John Fulton Burt – affectionately known as Papa John not only by his grands but by an extended community as well – will be Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 406 Wilson Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350. Father Augustine Palimattan and Rev. Evan Humphries will officiate. McClain-Hays Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Burt, 97, died in his home Monday afternoon. He was born Dec. 22, 1925, in Neshoba County to Robert and Ethel Burt. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 at age 18 and served his country as a sailor aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946, he earned his pilot’s license and flew his first solo flight from Kosciusko to Philadelphia. His sisters shared he would often fly over their house in the Bond community throwing out candy bars to them while his mother was waving for him to go on. Mr. Burt worked for Sunbeam Bread Company, D&W Tire Company and Spencer’s Gas Company before starting, in 1967, a family business, Burt’s Grocery, at the intersection of Range Avenue and Weyerhaeuser Road. He later moved his business to Holland Avenue. He and his late wife, Shirley, remained in the grocery business for over 25 years. Upon retirement, Mr. Burt honed in on his gardening skills, frequently sharing his vegetables with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing and being in the woods or on the Pearl River, especially with his children and grandchildren where he shared many life lessons. He was also the “go-to uncle” for many of his nieces and nephews in need of a repair job, an errand run or a back porch visit to tap his wisdom. Mr. Burt was a devoted fan of Neshoba Central, Philadelphia, Leake Academy and Mississippi State University sports whether in attendance or from his favorite chair with his television or radio. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church where he served in many capacities throughout his life. He is survived by his two children, John D. Burt (Susan) and Lee Ann Fulton (Jim), both of Philadelphia; three grandchildren, Ashley Peebles (Ben), Coker Fulton (Chelsea) and Kip Fulton (Adrienne Sisson); three great-grandsons, Pete Peebles, Gunner Fulton and Pullen Fulton; two sisters, Rene McKay of Madison and Annie Laura Browning of Clinton; sister-in-law, Nell Burt of Madison and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley George Burt; beloved grandson, Robert Joseph Burt; parents, Robert and Ethel Burt; and brothers, John Charles (JC) Burt, Robert Dan Burt and James Lemly Burt. Pallbearers will be Eli Anderson, Chris Burt, Steve Burt, Coker Fulton, Kip Fulton, Grant Myers, Ben Peebles, and Pete Peebles. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Burt, Jeff Burt, Patrick Burt, Stan Burt, Anthony George, Jimmy Dan Kilgore and Garry Myers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Community Foundation of East Mississippi John F. Burt Memorial Scholarship. Donations can be made online at www.cfem.org or mailed to CFEM, P.O. Box 865, Meridian, MS 39303. Please notate John F. Burt Memorial Scholarship fund.