December 13, 2024, 69, Goldsboro —

Retired Master Sergeant James Burnell III, USAF passed away Friday, December 13, 2024, at Rex Hospital.

A service to celebrate his life with full military honors will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro. A private interment will be held at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday from 10 until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Burnell was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 13, 1955, to the late James Burnell Jr. and Sarah Bass Burnell. He was a member of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Chapel.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Thorpe; one son, Almond Thorpe; two daughters, Kashina Glover and Victoria Burnell; five grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family request no flowers.

Services entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro where other biographical information will be announced.