Mr. Carl Clifton "Joe" Burch Sr.

Carl Clifton Burch Sr. was born July 27, 1940, in Black Hawk, Mississippi, to the late Sam Burch and Mable Johnson. There was a mix-up with his birth certificate at the time of his birth, and for years, many believed his name to be Joe Louis. His family and friends affectionately called him Joe Boy. He parted this life on May 28, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Burch and Mable Johnson, his three sisters, Mary Payton, Bernice McClinton, and Sam Ella Crump, and his two children, JoAnn Burch Love and Timothy Burch. He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and joined Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Black Hawk, Mississippi, where he served as a choir member and was actively involved in other church activities. He attended elementary school in the Carrol County Public School System in Black Hawk. He attended junior high and high school in Vaiden, Mississippi. After graduating from high school, his mother moved to Itta Bena, Mississippi, and he attended Mississippi Valley State University for his first year of college. Joe's music career started at an early age while living in Black Hawk. After moving to Itta Bena, he continued his music career. He also sang with B.W. Ward and the Spirit of Memphis Quartet. He later moved to Rankin County and began working at the Mississippi State Hospital, where he worked for seven years. While working at the hospital, he met and fell in love with Earie Lee Kersh. They were married on July 2, 1961. To this union, four children were born. In the mid-1960s, he transferred his church membership to Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church and became the church's musician. He was employed by Stanwood Corporation in Pelahatchie for over 33 years, retiring from the company. He was also an auto mechanic. He continued with his music career and played and sang with several quartet groups throughout Rankin and Scott County. He also played for several church choirs, including Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Leesburg, Mississippi; True Vine Baptist Church in Brandon, Mississippi; Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lake, Mississippi; and Fannin Baptist Church in Fannin, Mississippi, among others. In the mid-sixties, he became the lead singer and guitarist for the Ever Ready Gospel Singing Group of Brandon, Mississippi. In the early seventies, the group recorded two singles for the Mouth of the South recording label, "I Told the Lord" and "Jesus is With Me." In 2010, Joe, his wife, Earie, and his daughter, JoAnn, recorded the Burch Family album, "Jesus is With Me." Joe enjoyed going on vacation with his family and attending family gatherings. He leaves to cherish his memory his precious wife, Earie Burch, his children, Carl (Dorris) Burch and Cassandra (Anthony) Wilson, his grandchildren, Michael, Kiara, Raven, Andrew, and Trey, and his great-grandson, Leo.

Mr. Carl Clifton "Joe" Burch Sr.

July 27, 1940 - May 28, 2025