Samuel Benjamin Burkett Jr.

Picayune, MS - Samuel Benjamin Burkett Jr., age 85, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in the Timeless Grace Assisted Living Facility, Friday, May 5, 2023.
Sam was born June 3 rd 1937 in Panama City, FL on to his late parents Samuel B. Burkett, Sr. and Nora Lee Broxson Burkett. Sam played football at Bay High in Panama City and won a full scholarship to play football at Jones County Junior College, MS in 1955, the year Jones went to the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Sam went on to graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi in Mathematics and started his professional career at Kennedy Space Center in 1959. Sam later transferred to Stennis Space Center and Michoud Assembly Facility where he spent the remainder of his career as a gifted mathematician and computer scientist until retirement in 2000. Sam was a Christian and devoted to his wife of 65 years Carolyn Roper Burkett, his children Sammy and Kelly, and to his grandchildren Kailen, Mason, Ben, Will and Loren. Sam's love for his family was unending and unconditional and he will be remembered dearly in our hearts.
Sam loved spending time with his family and friends, fishing, riding his tractor and 4-Wheeler, and singing inspirational songs.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Nora Lee Burkett; sisters, Katherine Irlbeck and Ann Ormiston; and brother Lee Roy Burkett.
Sam is survived by his wife, Carolyn Burkett; son, Samuel B. Burkett, III; daughter, Kelly Burkett Windham; grandchildren, Kailen Kruger, Mason Burkett, Will Windham, Samuel B. Burkett IV (Ben), and Loren Burkett; his great-grandchildren, Jet and Sunny; and many nieces and nephews.
Sam's funeral will be held at 10AM Tuesday, May 9th, at the McDonald Funeral Home in Picayune, MS.
Interment will be in Bay Springs, MS in a private family cemetery that same afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Sam's name to the Alzheimer's Association.