Jessie James Burton

Mr. Jessie James Burton

January 17, 1946 - May 27, 2023

Mr. Jessie James Burton, 76, of Muskegon Heights, Michigan formerly of Hope, Arkansas, answered the call of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, better known to him as “J.C.” departing this earthly life for a more excellent one, in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 27, 2023, after a long battle with health issues. 

Mr. Burton accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and went on to serve at Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church for more than twenty years.  He loved singing in the Male Chorus and did so until his health no longer allowed hm to do so.   

He was born to the late Mr. Milton Burton and the late Ms. Mozella Washington on January 17, 1946, in Plain Dealing Louisiana where he received his formal education.  He began working at an early age to help support his mother and younger siblings.  He would eventually relocate to Hope Arkansas and started to work at the Hope Livestock Auction Incorporated better know and described by him as the “sale barn,” where he would eventually work for more than twenty years.  Mr. Burton quickly became proficient at his job which resulted n hi, being referred to as the “cow whisperer.”  He could tell how old a cow was by measuring its teeth or how far along a cow was by simply looking at her.  He was not afraid of hard work, was reliable and faithful to his place of employment.  Because of that reliability he was able to help employ many of his friends and family members at the sale barn.  During that period, he met and was befriended by a sixteen-year-old named Willie Young.  Willie carried him to his house where he met the eventual love of his life, Ms. Ulysses Mae “Miss Sista” Young.  They knew right away that they were right for each other.  While they never made their union lawful in the sight of man, there was a bond that no man could ever break apart.  They would share their lives with the birth of two daughters and a son. 

While Jessie was not the biological father of some of “Ms. Sista’s” Children, he never made differences between them and their own children.  He treated them all the same and soon became known as “Pops” by the older children and “paw-paw” or “grandpa” by the grandchildren and great grandchildren.   

Prior to retiring from the sale barn, his children, Lynn, Gwen, and Donna had the opportunity to take separate field trips to the Hope Livestock Auction Incorporated to see their dad in action and were so very proud of him.  Jessie was devoted to his family and when Ms. Ulysses relocated the family to Muskegon, Michigan in 1990, Jessie wouldn’t be long to follow her. 

He was an avid sports fan, he loved baseball, basketball, and football.  On any given day of the week, he could be found in front of the TV watching westerns, his favorite sports, listening to the blues, picking his numbers or sneaking a cold one.  Just recently, in this past January, on his 77th birthday his family was able to surprise him with a wonderful birthday celebration.  That was just an indication of the love and regard he had for his family.  During the birthday celebration his grandson, Kenneth Sharp, Jr. asked him, “Grandpa, how long do you expect to live?”  Jessie replied, “23 more years if J.C. sees fit to let me live.”  He always talked about living to see 100 years of age.

Jessie was a man of faith, he never let cancer get him down nor did he ever complain.  He recently rejoiced about his grandchildren and great grandchildren getting good grades at school and that he looked forward to attending their birthday parties, graduations and the family reunion.  He went on to brag about how proud he was of all his children saying, “all of my children have good jobs.”

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ms. Mozella Washington, his father, Mr, Milton Burton, sisters, Patricia Marsh, Sandy Jones, Mary Wesson and Berince Ferguson.  His brothers, Milton Burton, Jr., J.D. Franklin, and J.C. Franklin.  His daughters, Valencer R. Young and Easter J. Young and a son, Rufus Young, Jr.  

He leaves to cherish his life and many memories, his brother, Marcellus Washington of Dallas, Texas.  His sister, Louise Jones of Hope, Arkansas.  His children, Lynn Young of Atlanta, Georgia, Gwen Burton and Inet Young of Muskegon, Michigan, Donna Burton of San Diego, California, Freddie Muldrew of Texarkana, Arkansas, Willie Young, Calvin Young, and Eunice Young all of Hope, Arkansas.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and a special thanks to the many friends who became like family to him at Columbia Court.

Service will be Saturday June 10, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the Hamilton-Davis Funeral Home Chapel; 415 East First Street; Stamps, Arkansas 71860 under the direction of Hamilton-Davis Funeral Home Staff.

Public visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Friday, June 9, 2023at Hamilton-Davis Funeral Home Chapel; 415 East First Street; Stamps, Arkansas 71860.

Interment will be immediately following his service at Galilee (Moore) Cemetery; Highway 67 West; Fulton, Arkansas 71838.

Masks are optional but highly recommended for the sake of health and well-being of those who will be around, beside, in front of and behind you.  COVID is still an active virus so please use reasonable social distancing as well. 

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