James A. Burnell transitioned life on Thursday morning, the 23rd of January at 12:02 A.M.; after being surrounded by family members visiting with love and prayers. James was the oldest son of the late Eula Mae Burnell and the late Rufus Diggs, Sr., and the brother of the late Iva Lee Brewer. James was born and raised in the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake and attended Indian River High School. James was hired at the Elbow Farms Trucking Company for over 40 years and was treated as a family member before he retired. James had a passion for trucks, race cars, boxing, gambling, seafood, and women. He also called himself the “king of the family”. To know him was to love him, and he was loved by many and will be truly missed.
He leaves to cherish his memories, four daughters: Jennifer Covil, Jordyn Burnell, Jamese Burnell, and Lundi Burnell; and five sons: Jaron Burnell, Jaquan Burnell, Colby Brewer, Tony Hardy, and James Burnell, Jr.; bonus children, Lilβ Keith, and Bobby Thomas. Three brothers: William Bonner, Sr. (Pat), William Larry Burnell, and Elihu Harrell Burnell; and four sisters: Belinda Burnell, Janet Harris (Rick), Ella Burnell, and Anita Burnell. James had seven grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. Rest on, James. We love you and we will miss you, but God loved you more!!!
Condolences(12)-
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Ronda Thomas says
January 29, 2025 at 12:02 pmDear God,
We left our family up to you. May your Holy Spirit be our source of comfort and strength. Help us to feel your loving presence in this time of need. Grant us peace that only you can give and knowing that there is a hope for better days to come. (Ronda)
A. Uzzle says
January 29, 2025 at 3:27 pmTo the family itβs with great sadness to know someone who was always full of life depart from us. May God grant you the serenity to understand and pour his love upon you all. May the joy of the Lord give you strength in your time of loss. Abundantly blessed, The White, Banks family
LaRay Dasher (Evans) says
January 30, 2025 at 10:08 pmTo the Burnell family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. James was full of life. He will be truly missed. May GOD give you peace in knowing that James is in the arms of GOD.
Malithia Smith says
January 29, 2025 at 8:21 pmI am still on disbelief. Who am I going to fuss with now π God needed you more than we did cousin, I’m going to hold on to the Wonderful memories. You are truly gonna be missed π’ love ya π
Larriale Isiah says
January 30, 2025 at 11:21 amMy Uncle James will be missed. This still doesn’t seem real! I pray for strength, healing, comfort, and full of love and joy to all of Uncle James family, friends, and those who meant so much to him. Love you Uncle James! Rest in Peace
Dorothea Kennedy says
January 30, 2025 at 3:15 pmMy Condolences to the family, I canβt believe my friend from south Norfolk passed , James was a good person , he will be truly missed. rest peacefully my friend!
Angela Chesson says
January 30, 2025 at 3:51 pmJames I look across the street looking for you to come out and it’s hard cause I always say let me check on him he haven’t been out to get in that big truck I come to knock on door with my cane and ask you alright I was sharp I throught you were on vacation but you wasn’t my heart was hurt i say where he at his noisy self lol til the day someone told me you pass that’s why you want you going to be miss over here your neighbor Angela across street πfor the Burnell Family my condolences
Tamara Brock says
January 31, 2025 at 7:12 amBig man was a great friend treat me and my family like family gsme nights hockey games etc he will be missed we love you rest on big man
Tamika Couther says
January 31, 2025 at 11:48 amPlease accept my condolences and prayers to the family. Big Man will be truly missed by many. I pray you find solace in the memories he has left with each and everyone. Take your rest. ππ₯ποΈ,
With great sympathy,
The Couther Family
Sharell Anderson says
January 31, 2025 at 12:12 pmGet your Rest Big Man you were always like a uncle to me and will always remain that way my condolences to my friend Jamal Burnell and the rest of the family God Blessπ
Leatrice Chavis says
January 31, 2025 at 3:28 pmJanuary 30 2025 when I saw that on my page my whole world drop cause I love me some james we always laugh at our self cause we were liking each other until we find out we was fam we laughed π right until we got grown now I now want see him any more my heart is so broken π gone to soon we are those great sagittarius baby the 2th and me. The 10th i going miss u BIG MAN Rest in Peace see u on the other side π’ππβ₯οΈ
Coleen Norman says
February 4, 2025 at 6:43 amFamily you have our deepest condolences so sorry to hear of the passing of Big Man. Praying ππ½ God’s strength and comfort for you all during this difficult time cherish the memories shared. Rest up Big Man you will be missed. β₯οΈπΉ