Jimmie Collum Foreman Burnette

Jimmie Collum Foreman Burnette, a resident of Fannin, Mississippi, passed away on December 30, 2023, at St. Catherine's Village. She was 94.

Born on September 23, 1929, Jimmie was one of five resilient women born to Minnie Belle and James Buchanan Collum. She spent her formative years and youth in Brandon, where she spent a great deal of time outdoors with her sisters and extended family. After graduating from college, she worked for the Employment Security Commission before moving to Champagne, Illinois. At this time, she elected to remain at home to rear what she considered her pride and joy-her three children. Her family moved to Memphis and Meridian for a brief time and then ultimately returned to Brandon where she has resided for the past 60 years.

As her children grew up, she returned to the workforce. Her choice of career focus paralleled her strong belief in God's grace and opportunities for second chances, no matter one's prior circumstances or past mistakes. As a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor at the Mississippi State Hospital for over 25 years, she helped advocate for the reintegration of individuals with mental and psychiatric disabilities into the workforce. During her tenure in this position, she received many service awards for her dedication to the Rehabilitation Association of Mississippi. No stranger to loss, Jimmie dealt with numerous tragedies throughout her life. Instead of making grief her shadow, she leaned on her strong faith to overcome each of these arduous times with grace and poise. As the matriarch of her family, she encouraged the daily practice of diligence in prayer and graciousness of the heart to all. For Jimmie, faith meant to pray without ceasing, in both good and bad times. At the end of many conversations with her were the words "I love you, don't forget to say your prayers." She was  a faithful attendee of Brandon Baptist Church for the majority of her life and particularly cherished her close friendships with her beloved Sunday School class. In this class, she developed a most ardent passion for biblical studies. As a proponent of the public library system, she frequented numerous book clubs across the metro Jackson area.

An advocate of self-care, Jimmie, could be found each Thursday at 9:30 am post-retirement at the "beautician." It was rare for her to miss her beloved appointments.  When visiting with family and friends, she could often be found with her signature pearl  earrings, gold locket, and bright smile. It is also lovingly said that she could have owned stock in Keds with the number of champion lace-ups that she wore throughout her lifetime. She would share with her daughter and granddaughters that to take care of others, you must also remember to take care of and advocate for yourself.

She felt that it was important to celebrate well. She was a wonderful cook who also loved to host family events. Thanksgiving and Christmas at her home was a tradition for many years where one was always met at the door with divinity, fudge, and silver bells, all before dinner! New Year's Eve celebrations often included a midnight countdown followed by the traditional "banging of the pots" down her street, much to her neighbors' dismay.

Jimmie is survived by her children, Robert Maynard Foreman (Annette) and Dusty Foreman Hinton (Dees), three granddaughters; Kristin Hinton Cox (Joseph), Hannah Foreman Ivison (Will), Harlee Hinton Walley (Mitchell); and five great-grandchildren, Hinton, Elliot and Tate Cox and Teddy and Lillie Ivison. She is further survived by her sister Martha Prince, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. Her first and second husbands, Robert Foreman, and Barney Burnette; son, Steven Buchanan Foreman; parents, Minnie Belle, and James Buchanan Collum; sisters, Bobbie Eric Collum, Mary Collum Sanderson, and Elizabeth Gene Collum, predeceased her.

A funeral service and celebration of the tremendous life that Jimmie had will be held at Brandon Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 3rd at 2 pm. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. The family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers of Sitters LLC, Arden Hospice, and St. Catherine's Village Siena Center for their compassionate care. Resounding gratitude is given specifically to Clara Goods, whose dedication and kindness to Jimmie over the past two years were unwavering.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26