Samuel Douglas Burrell

It is with both great sadness and joy that the family of Samuel Douglas Burrell announce his passing from an earthly body into his heavenly one.
He died on the afternoon of October 15, 2024 in Sunflower, Mississippi at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. His wife of 65 years was holding his hand. He was 83 years old.
Samuel Douglas "Doug" Burrell was born March 6, 1941 at his home in Avon, Mississippi to parents John Nathan and Ada Lee Bierman Burrell. On the night of his birth a storm was raging and the house was so surrounded by water that the doctor who delivered him couldn't make it by automobile and had to be brought in by horse and wagon. Because of this his five older siblings often referred to him as "Duck," because he came into the world needing to know how to stay afloat. His mother Ada said that Doug knew to wait on the doctor. It was the first inclination of his easy disposition.
Doug grew up much like Huck Finn, roaming the banks of the Mississippi River barefooted with a fishing pole selling what he caught to the locals.
He did whatever odd jobs he could, even from the young age of 8 to help out financially for his family and learned the art of being content in most situations.
At 17 he began working as a stock boy for a grocery store in Greenville, Mississippi called Liberty Cash where he developed a crush on a 16 year old cashier named Betty Ann Floyd. A year later on Christmas Eve 1959 the two were married at the preacher's house and for the next six and half decades they loved each other immensely.
Doug believed in the philosophy of working hard, minding your own business, and whistling while you did both. He carried this philosophy into any workplace he inhabited. He worked for both Greenville Mills and for the Delta Democrat Times for many years in Greenville before becoming an Independent Milk Distributor for The Borden Milk Company in 1981 and moving to Indianola, MS. He would later work for LuVel until his retirement.
Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, motorcycles, discovering new hobbies, spending time with his wife, and anything outdoors.
But, what he excelled at most was being a loving, funny, calm and steady anchor to anyone lucky enough to be near him, especially to his children and grandchildren. He was a man of unconditional love who, if you were sorry, kept no records of wrongs. His influence was not wide, but it was deep and it was genuine.
Doug is preceded in death by his parents John and Ada Lee Burrell, three brothers, John Nathan "Jr" Burrell, Willie Dee Burrell, and Stanley Martin "Buddy" Burrell, and two sisters, Mary Viola Burrell Edwards, and Mildred Burrell Woods.
Doug is survived by his wife Betty Ann Floyd Burrell of Indianola, son Samuel Douglas "Chip" Burrell Jr. of Tupelo, and daughter, Dana Burrell Lipsey (Bill) of Sunflower, five grandchildren, Megan Burrell Schrader of Ringgold, GA, Caleb Burrell of Chattanooga, TN, Wyatt Lipsey and Hank Lipsey (Avery), both of Oxford, and Eli Lipsey of Brandon, and four great grandchildren, Heath, Ben, and Natalie Schrader, and Daniel Burrell.
Services celebrating the life of Doug will take place at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola, MS on Saturday, October 19. Visitation will be from 10:30-11:00 followed immediately by his funeral service. Bill Lipsey, Doug's son-in-law, will officiate. There will be a graveside service for family and close friends following the service at The Greenville Cemetery. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.
In closing, the family would like to extend a depth of gratitude to the nurses, therapists, and staff of Walter B Crook Nursing facility in Ruleville, MS where Doug, after a paralyzing massive stroke, spent the last 7 1/2 years of his life. You all took such amazing care of him when his family couldn't. Many of you are especially dear to us and your names and faces will always live in our hearts. We hope that a small part of Doug, his laughter and "yes ma'am's" will maybe live on in yours as well.
To the small staff at Sunflower Hospice we'd like to say thank you for making it possible to bring our loved one home for his final days and for navigating the end with us.
To the man who was our husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend, we'd like to say "well done." You were love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A more Christ-like man we could not have asked for. We hope to carry on the gifts of your legacy.
And to God? Thanks for setting all of this up.
In lieu of flowers we ask that instead you buy yourself a honey bun and a carton of chocolate milk in honor of Doug and enjoy the beauty of life.