Rayford Gene Burleson, 62, of Columbus, MS passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital- GT.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 19, 2016, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in Egger Cemetery, Caledonia, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.

Mr. Burleson was born July 24, 1953, in Columbus, MS to Nona Aldridge McKay and the late James L. Burleson, Jr. He was a former member of Point of Grace Church, Columbus, MS and an automotive mechanic for over 30 years. Mr. Burleson was a loving and kind spirited man, that took care of all of his grandkids and loved his animals. In addition to his father he is preceded in death by his son- Keith Risner and 2 brothers- Anthony Burleson and Charlotte Burleson.

Mr.  Burleson is survived by his wife- Deborah Ballard Burleson, Columbus, MS; daughters- Stephanie Khirvisana and Sarah Taylor; 8 grandchildren; mother- Nona Aldridge McKay; sister- Donna Vandenberg and nephew- Nikolas Vandenberg.

Pallbearers will be Tom Wade, Christian Wade, Russ Poole, Ryan Taylor, Rully Khirvisana and Daniel Wade.

Memorials may be made to Children's Safe Drinking Water at www.csdw.org or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.