James Earl Burge, 76, of Linden died Sunday, May 1 at his home. On this day our beloved has passed from this life in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was born July 16, 1934 in Marengo County. Jim retired from the United States Air Force out of Keesler Air Base in Biloxi, Miss. as a Technical Sergeant after 21 years of dedicated service. He was a Test Supervisor at Ingall’s Shipbuilding (now Northrup Grumman) in Pascagoula, Miss. and a machinist at Bausch and Lomb in Ocean Springs, Miss. before retiring to his hometown of Linden.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard Nollie Burge and Odessa Foxhall Burge, son Nollie Thomas Burge, brother Cecil, Arthur, Nollie, Henry and Lee as well as sisters Neil and Reba.

He is survived by his wife, Esther Jane Burge of Linden, daughter Deborah Ann Burge Pettis of Linden, son James Calvin (Mandy) Burge of Gautier, Miss., sister Velma Odell White of Springfield, Ark., four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, a Sister of the Heart, Retha Cook of Ocean Springs, Miss. and a special niece, Tina Cook Gomez of Ocean Springs, Miss.

Funeral services were held at Cornerstone Church on Wednesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Rob Wynne and Rev. Drew Dockery officiating. Burial with military honors was held at New Octagon Cemetery in Linden.

Active Pallbearers were Eldridge Pettis III, James Sharpe Jr., Steven Norris, Ethan Glass, Roger Burge and Ricky Parker.

Condolences may be offered at . Arrangements by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden.