In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cover final expenses.

*************************************************************************

Willie Frank Burrell, Jr. began his earthly journey on December 25, 1940, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He was born to the union of the late Willie Frank Burrell, Sr. and Eva Monroe.

At the age of 15, Frank left rural Crystal Springs and moved to Chicago, Illinois. He attended John Marshall High School where he was a member of the ROTC. He dropped out of school two years later and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He received his GED while serving in the armed forces.

In 1972, after his honorable discharge from the Army, he received an associate degree in business administration from Chicago’s Wright Junior College and later a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Chicago State University. Frank pursued a graduate degree in Psychology, but was 13 hours shy of completing the degree.

In 1969, Frank married Nannie Fields. To their union was born their only child, Lorraine.

Frank was employed for over 20 years at Reynold’s Aluminum as a pipefitter. He completed a 4-year apprenticeship and became a journeyman (the highest position in his trade/craft).

Frank was a self-taught photographer/videographer who started his own business. He had a passion for capturing special events and taking portraits of family, friends, and members of his community.

When Frank retired, he returned home to Mississippi near his place of birth. He moved to Hazlehurst where he dedicated many years to caring for his yard, meeting new people, and helping others. He received the key to the City of Hazlehurst.

Frank’s earthly journey ended on November 24, 2024, at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in the care of a fabulous medical staff. Frank joins the loved ones who preceded him in death: his parents; his brother, James Earl Morris; his sister, Francine Burrell; his nephew, Leonard Burrell; his grandparents, and many other members of the Monroe and Burrell families.

Frank is survived by his former wife, Nannie Burrell; his daughter Lorraine (Maurice) Muhammad; his grandchildren Jaleelah, Jabril, Karriem, Sumayyah, Sadiq, and Khadirah Muhammad; his half-sister, Vonetta Calderon; his half-brother, Ira Stewart, as well as a host of cousins and friends.

A service will be held on December 12 (Visitation - 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; Service – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home in Hazlehurst, MS, with interment immediately following at the City of Crystal Springs cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cover final expenses at http://ffnd.co/brbdGZ.