Funeral services for Joe Keith Burnham, 85, will be held at 2 p.m., April 7, 2016 at Moss Service Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Peyton and Rev. Ray Lathem officiating. Interment will be in Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Mr. Burnham was born February 26, 1931 to Iva Lambert and Herman Burnham in Cullman Alabama. He graduated from Fairview High School and attended Saint Bernard College. He also served in The United States Army.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister: Mary Theolene Swofford.
He is Survived by his wife of 60 years: Carolyn Harris Burnham, Daughter: Mary (Tony) Ellard, Son: David (Kelly) Burnham, Grandchildren: Will and Wes Ellard and Carlie and Cole Burnham, Brother-In-Law: James (Betty) Swofford and six nephews.
Joe was a life-long farmer and a passionate deer hunter. He and a group of friends formed and established The Harris Creek Hunting Club in Clarke County, Alabama in the 1950's. The club is still very active as a place where people can enjoy deer hunting as well as building life-long friendships. He grew sweet potatoes, cotton, corn, soybeans, peas, hogs, chickens, cows and hay. He was selected as the first Outstanding Farm Producer by the Cullman Farm-City Committee in 1978. He continued to farm, hunt and fish and enjoy everything outdoors until he was no longer able. He always believed in leaving the land and equipment in better condition than when he started. In the last few years of his life, Joe's world revolved around his family and friends- and he always loved a Good Joke!
Pallbearers will be grandsons: Will and Wes Ellard, Cole Burnham, nephews: Steve, Randy and Philip Swofford, Matt, Blake and Nathan Weathersby.
