Dr. Michael Vinson

Michael Burnham Vinson

Brandon, MS-

Michael Burnham Vinson, 76, died Saturday, February 24, 2018.

During a 35 year career in public education, he served as a teacher, coach, principal and Superintendent of the Rankin County School District and Superintendent of the Tupelo Public Schools.  Even in retirement, he continued to work tirelessly for Mississippi school children, taking on special projects for the State Department of Education in Scott County and Okalona.

Generations of students in Mississippi, from pre-K through higher education, were positively impacted by his leadership and commitment to education.  He served on the Hinds Community College Board of Trustees for over 20 years and as executive director of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators.  He was named Mississippi Superintendent of the Year in 1999 and one of Hinds Community College’s Top 100 Alumni in 2017.

Despite his dedication to generations of public school children, his first priority was his family, always.  He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.  In retirement he kept the roads warm, traveling with family and friends across the state and region to see his granddaughters compete in cheer, piano recitals, cross country meets and soccer matches.  He could also be found at nearly every Brandon High athletic competition or school event cheering on the Bulldogs.

Outside of work and family, he was a true craftsman in the woodworking shop, a voracious reader, Sunday School teacher and friend and counselor to all.  He was an active member of Brandon First United Methodist, the Brandon B-Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and served as an adjunct professor of education at Mississippi College.

A proud native of Puckett, he graduated from Puckett High School in 1959, Hinds Community College in 1961 and Mississippi College in 1963.  He received his Master of Education from Mississippi College in 1973 and his Education Doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha Claire “Marty:” and their two sons, Thad (Jill) Vinson of Arlington, VA, and Cris (Sorena) Vinson of Brandon, MS; two granddaughters, Onsby and Stella.  He was preceded in death by his parents,  F.S. and Velma Vinson, his brother, Brent and his son, Mark.

Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon on Sunday, February 25, 2018, from 5:00PM – 8:00PM, and again on Monday, February 26, 2018, from 1:00PM – 2:00PM, at Brandon First United Methodist Church.  A funeral service will be held at Brandon First UMC at 2:00PM.  Graveside services will follow at Brandon Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Hinds Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1100, Raymond, MS 39154 or Brandon First United Methodist Church, 205 Mary Ann Dr., Brandon, MS 39042.