On Thursday, July 19, 2018, James “Jim” Burnham Stuart Jr., husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a wonderful life of 90 years. Born Nov. 5 1927 in Louisville, MS to Eva Elisabeth Power and James Burnham Stuart they moved to Jackson and Jim attended Bailey Junior High and Central High School where he played in the band until 10th grade. The principle of the school asked him to join the football team, and for three years Jim played football for Central High until he graduated in 1945. Jim has said that having the opportunity to play footbal was the turning point in his life. He received a scholarship to play football for Mississippi State University, where he was an All-American player and graduated with a business degree in 1949. Jim met his wife, Joyce Mae Elder, while at Mississippi State and they married in May after their graduation.
Jim was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army in 1949 where he served honorably in the Korean war attaining the rank of Major. After his military service Jim worked as a coach for the Forest Hills High School. After coaching, Jim went to work as a field representative for the General Motors Acceptance Corporation where he retired as a Regional Manager. After retiring from GMAC, Jim moved back to Jackson and took a position as a Senior Vice President for Mid-South Diversified where he later became CEO.
Jim was well known and respected among his many colleagues and friends. He and Joyce were long time members of the Central Presbyterian Church and the Briarwood Presbyterian Church. He served as a Mason for over sixty years at the Masonic Temple of Jackson, and as a Shriner of the Scottish Rite for over fifty years.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Joyce Mae Elder. He is survived by his four children, Laurie E. “Beth” Griffith (Russ) of Brandon, MS; James B. “Bubba” Stuart III (Betty) of Maybank, TX; George E. Stuart (Gale) of Jackson, MS; John Graham Stuart (Darlene) of Hoschton, GA; 11 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren; and other close family.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Lattice Mobley for her care and service given to our father, Jim.
Visitation for Jim will be held Monday, July 23, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 11:00 am at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, there will be a brief visitation prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.
