James W Burcham

View funeral broadcastJames White Burcham, Sr., 80, well-known Columbia home-builder and florist and former long-time resident of Alicia Lane, died Friday, January 29, 2010 at Rosewood Manor. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Jeremy Butt, Randy Owens, and Jerry Elder officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to West 7th Street Church of Christ, 404 West 7th Street, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of the late James R. Burcham and Helena White Burcham. He was a 1948 graduate of Columbia Central High School where he excelled in athletics and attended Middle Tennessee State University on a football scholarship. As a young man, he engaged in the home construction business, building 46 homes until he began training as a florist under the tutelage of his uncle, Douglas White. He later purchased Sullivan's Flowers & Gifts and operated the business until his retirement. He was a former member of the Columbia Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and Columbia Elks Lodge. Always a sports enthusiast, he and his late wife were avid University of Tennessee football fans and followed the Vols in their "Big Orange" motor home to many out-of-state and bowl games over the years. He was a member of West 7th Street Church of Christ. In 1951, he married the former Bettie Ann Hardison of Columbia. Mrs. Burcham died November 15, 2005. He was also preceded in death by a son, James W. "Jim" Burcham, Jr. in 2006. Survivors include a daughter, Belinda Claire Burcham McAdams; a son, Robert Oscar "Rob" (Lisa) Burcham; grandchildren, Alyson Waggoner, Emily Burcham, Evan Burcham, David Burcham, Jamie McAdams, Danny McAdams, Ben McAdams, and Jennifer Richardson; great-grandchildren, Hannah Richardson, Sam Richardson, Alicia McAdams, Gage McAdams, Audrey McAdams, Ella McAdams, Ben McAdams, and Emerson McAdams, all of Columbia; sister, Mary Ruth Jenkins of Richmond, Virginia; and very special friends, Frances and Glenn Morton. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staffs of The Bridge and Rosewood Manor for their kindness and care during his illness. His grandchildren will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include members of the West 7th Street Church of Christ Auditorium Sunday School Class, Dick Stowers, Larry Richardson, Jim Sproul, Judge Jim Weatherford, Mike Kesler, Carla "Cookie" Mangum, Janet and Travis Roberts, Retha Sparks, Dr. Robert Bain, Dr. Hriski Kanth, Dr. James A. Marshall, and Dr. Cheryl Clayton.