Mr. Burnham was born September 8, 1927, in Winston County, Mississippi. He was a self-employed carpenter, and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice Cherry Burnham and William Thomas Burnham; one granddaughter, Christy Thomas; and three brothers, Jack Burnham, Charles Burnham, and Johnny Burnham.
He is survived by his daughters, Jeanna (Johnny) Watts of McCool, MS, and Donna Goodin of Preston, MS; his son, Junior (Pam) Burnham of Louisville, MS; three sisters, Margie Lishman of Thibodaux, LA, Myrtis Boatner of Homer, LA, and Betty Adams of Preston, MS; three brothers, Marvin Burnham of Philadelphia, MS, Gene Burnham of Philadelphia, MS, and Leon Burnham of Homer, LA; grandchildren, Amanda Watts, Dalton Watts, Rusty Burnham, Justin Burnham, Michael Burnham, Sarah Mayo, Joseph Pace, Kevin Watts, and Dasha Goodin; and 11 great grandchildren.