- Date Of Birth: August 7, 1939
- Date Of Death: July 19, 2020
- State: Texas
On August 7, 1939, James Lorenzo Burrell was the seventh child born to the parentage of Napoleon and Delia Burrell. Six brothers and sisters preceded him in death as well as an infant son.
James accepted Christ at an early age uniting with a church in Weldon. He was brought up in a Christian home and learned early in life that Jesus was his Lord and Savior.
James graduated from Lincoln High School in Wellborn. After graduation, he attended and graduated from Prairie View A&M College in 1962, with a degree In Education.
Upon graduation he was hired in Belton, Texas as a teacher. His first assignment was at Harris School. After desegregation, he was assigned to Belton Middle School and then to Belton High School where he taught Vocational Education and worked with special needs children. James worked for 38 years in the school system. One student wrote of James that “he taught me things that I did not know for the work world. I am a learning disabled student, but he did not treat me special like I am handicapped. He treats me like a person and I love him.” James’ philosophy of education was that all students have the ability to learn. His duty was to teach them to discover those barriers to learning and to help the student to develop a positive self-concept and to make learning meaningful.
James drove school buses for 50 years and enjoyed interacting with students daily. James also volunteered with the Belton Fire Department as an EMS. His other volunteer activities were with Habitat for Humanities, President of the local TSTA for two years. From 1993-1996 he was president of the Ebony Cultural Society.
James was a Deacon at Magnolia First Baptist Church as well as serving for several years as Treasurer. James was a dedicated church member and worked in the church until his health failed. James was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and served as treasurer.
He received numerous awards and treasured each one. He was awarded the Golden Apple Award in 1993, the President Call to Service Award in 2011, and a Volunteer Service award from President Barack Obama.
On May 31, 1964, he married the love of his life, Beverly Meshack Burrell. He leaves to cherish his memories as well as carry on his legacy, his wife of 56 years, Beverly, children; Lawanda Ethridge(Michael) Marietta, Georgia; Jason Lorenzo Burrell(Lillian) Dallas, Texas; and Debra Waller(Kenneth) Clarksville, Texas. grandchildren, Javin Burrell David Waller, Mack Waller, and Marsheque Waller. A sister Marie Benford(Clifford) College Station, Texas, brothers George Burrell (Bakersville, Ca., Lawrence Burrell(Monica) Fayetteville, North Carolina, three sister in laws; Wanda Smith(Elbert) Dallas, Texas; Monika Burrell; Fayetteville North Carolina, Geneva Meshack, Temple, Texas and a lifelong friend, Connie Harrison Jr. He is survived by a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and cousins. Debra Slider and DeVon Meshack have played an integral part of James’ life and care.
