Clifford Wayne Burrell, Sr.

Wayne is survived by his children Cliff (Melissa) Burrell of Germantown, TN, Craig(Charlotte) Burrell of Ft. Worth, TX, Allen Burrell of Corpus Christi, TX; brother Frank(Novalee) Burrell of Jonesboro, AR; grandchildren Jennifer(Matthew) Underwood, Holly(Cory) Chappell, Matthew Burrell, Andrew Burrell, and Cody(Angela) Burrell; great-grandchildren William and Lauren Underwood, Baylor and Lilah Chappell, and Paige, Jordan and Justin Burrell. He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Martha Burrell of Memphis, TN, brother Auburn Burrell of Jacksonville, FL, daughter-in-law Angela Burrell, and parents Clifford and Brownie Burrell of Memphis, TN.

Wayne was born January 30, 1928 in Phil Campbell, Alabama. He grew up during the difficult depression years but always fondly reminisced about his family’s roadside camping adventures as they traveled across the country looking for work.

He graduated from Kennett High School, Kennett, MO. in 1946 where he was a talented football and basketball player. Immediately after graduation, Wayne entered the U.S. Navy and served aboard ship in the Pacific during the closing operations of World War II. He moved to Memphis, TN and married Martha Williams in 1951 and began his family and career. Initially, he worked at MLGW while attending Memphis State University where he graduated with a Bachelor degree in business. After graduation he began a sales career that spanned much of the country as he moved his family from Memphis to homes in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Houston where his work culminated with Mercury Instruments. After retirement in 2005, Wayne and Martha returned to old friends in Memphis, where they joined Kirby Woods Baptist Church. Wayne spent the last 5 years enjoying new friends at Germantown Plantation. Wayne was a dedicated family man, Sunday school teacher and committed businessman who will be remembered for his integrity, kindness, generosity, and sense of humor.

The family will receive friends on Saturday October 7, 2017 from one o’clock in the afternoon until service time. Funeral services will be conducted at two o’clock, all in the chapel of Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.