Excail Burleson

Excail Burleson, born on May 24, 1932, in Shannon, MS, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at age 92. He was a resident of Dogwood Assisted Living in Corinth, MS. 

Excail’s business career began with flipping burgers at Doug’s Dairy Bar during high school.

After his marriage to Martha Joan Rogers in 1952, he worked as a salesman at Malone and Hyde, Sears, and Singer. Later he worked at Nettleton Garment Factory. An Army veteran, he served in the Korean War. From having the devotion at the factory every morning to filling in on Wednesday night services, he felt a profound sense of the Lord’s calling. Excail surrendered to the ministry and was ordained on June 9, 1963. He completed his ministerial training at Blue Mountain College. From 1963 to 1994, he pastored six churches. Even though he officially retired on June 26, 1994, he served as interim pastor of four churches, one of them for seven years. His commitment to spreading the Gospel was unwavering, and his passion for serving God’s people and his love for his congregations was limitless. In every sermon, he included the plan of salvation no matter the topic, and in conversations, he imparted his wisdom of “Love each other, and that will take care of the rest.” Joan and he resided in the Hinkle community until her death in 2020. They had just celebrated their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary. Excail’s ministry continued even after he moved to Dogwood. Never one to miss an opportunity, he prayed his sermon prayers at the dining table and spoke during devotion time. The last day of his journey here on earth is the first day of his eternal journey with the love of his life, Jesus Christ, and his beloved Joan.

Excail is survived by his daughters: Patricia Coleman (Mike), Pam Boone, and Teresa Hines (Lamar); grandchildren: Rosaline Harvell, Paul Boone, Cheryl McCoy, Daniel Boone, Douglas Boone, Kristi Barkstrom, Joe Coleman, and Anna Basting; great-grandchildren, Anisten Harvell, Ashton Harvell, Aikley Harvell, Madisyn Boone, Jacob Bradley, Gabbie Hall, Gabe Hall, Justin McCoy, Owen Boone, Dylan Boone, Blair Boone, Parker Boone, Alexander Boone, Theodore Boone, Amelia Nichols, Will Barkstrom, Aubrey McKee and Adrian McKee; his siblings, James Marlon Burleson (Karen), Helen Joyce Logan (Robert), Joann Tackett, Willie Francis Roland, and Donna Kay Pickering. 

Preceding Excail in death are his parents, Elmira and Wilbur Burleson, his wife, Joan; siblings: Thomas Burleson, Maggie Curbow, Earlene Matthews, and Wilburn “Buddy” Burleson. 

Visitation will be held at Magnolia Funeral Home East from 12:00 PM until service time on Monday, February 17, 2025. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the chapel with interment to follow in Hinkle Cemetery with military honors. Major Daniel Boon will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Paul Boone, Kevin Harvell, Joe Coleman, Jason McCoy, Justin McCoy and Jacob Bradley.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Dogwood Assisted Living, Gentiva Hospice Care and his resident friends who mad Excail’s new home so enjoyable.

Magnolia Funeral Home has been honored to serve the family of Mr. Excail Burleson.