FULTON - Rosabel H. Burleson, better known as "Honey," passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at the age of 96. She was born to Jesse Merle Howard and Addie Lee Dailey Howard on June 11, 1922, at Scooba, Kemper County, MS. She was educated at Electric Mills, Porterville, EMJC and attended Delta State. She married William Grafton Burleson on April 5, 1941. Children born to this union are: Gay Rosanne, William Dailey, Robert Grafton, Nancy Melinda, and Janice Carolyn (Angel).

Her life was blessed with good health, music and books, a beloved husband, family, friends, and earth angels for neighbors. Her days were filled with humor and love.

Honey was a lover of people, especially children and spent the majority of her life sharing that love with not only her family and friends but also the children who attended the daycare she ran for 14 years. She enjoyed reading everything from the Bible to The National Enquirer, and one of her favorite places to visit was the library. She enjoyed watching birds almost as much as people and loved flowers, especially irises.  A strong believer in sharing the gifts God gives you, she freely shared her creative talents to make majorette costumes, evening gowns, wedding decorations, and Christmas trees.

Honey had a strong faith and was an avid prayer warrior and member of the Fulton United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and a youth director. One of Honey's most prized honors was being chosen as Fulton's Citizen of the Year.

Many of us remember her for a note during difficult times or praise for a job well done. If it's true that a person's worth is measured by the number of lives they touch, Honey most definitely touched and made a difference in the lives of many; and we are thankful.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Olga Blaine; her husband, William G. "Big Bill" Burleson; two daughters, Rosanne Hilbun and Nancy Burleson; and one grandson, Benjamin Hilbun III.

Honey is survived by three children, Bill Burleson (Patsy) of the Evergreen community, Bob Burleson (Robin) of Georgetown, TX; and Angel McKinion (Ricky) of Philadelphia, MS; grandchildren, William Walker Hilbun (Kathleen), Anna Howard Benoit (Clint), Merry Price (Bill), Natchez Burleson, Amy Floyd (Trea), Will Burleson (Mimi), Chip Burleson (Noel), Jake Burleson (Mary), Hunter Gibson, Jess Johnson, Shannon McKinion, Jamie McKinion (Tina), Karri Robertson (Danny) and Michael Johnson; great-grandchildren, Walker, Mary Brown, Olivia, Miller, William, Jordan (Sean), Anna, Emery, Walker, Grafton, Laws, Josiah, Janie, Dailey, Jordan, Hanna, Krissi, Hayle, Kaitlyn, Harley, Taylor, William, Harper; and great-great grandchild, Judah Stark.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 14, at the Fulton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Phillip Box officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Masonic Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Fulton in in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

A special thanks to NMMC Hospice, Dr. Charles Kelly, and her caregivers, Kristi, Robyn, and Shelia.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 301 East Main Street, Fulton, MS 38843; or to the Hillcrest Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 192, Fulton, MS 38843.