Harold Flood Burley, Jr, 88, ran to the feet of Jesus early Wednesday morning, June 18, 2026, from his home in Osierfield, GA, healed, celebrating, and walking on both legs for the first time in 55 years. Oh, how we are celebrating!
A Celebration of Life will be held in Osierfield Cemetery on Saturday, June 20, at 10am with the Rev. John Gibbs, Jr. and the Rev. Ike Thomas officiating. Military Honors and Masonic Rites will be rendered as well. The family will receive guests at the site of the service at 9:30am.
Born on January 23, 1938 in Burley Hollow near Lynchburg, VA, “Pops” (as lovingly known by the family), was raised with his sister, Phyllis Burley Poston, and brother, George Burley, by his father, Harold Flood Burley, Sr and two “old-maid aunts” following the early death of his mother, Sadie Childress Burley. The hills of Virginia were home for Pops until he left high school to enroll in the Navy in 1955 and he carried a great love of home and memories in Virginia.
Following his service in the Navy, Harold met the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Joyce Harper Burley, while both were living in the Atlanta area. They were married and soon moved to Osierfield Drive, where they raised their family and lived the rest of each of their lives. Harold loved his family immensely and he enjoyed life in the country, often pulling pranks with family and friends, hunting (aka “Dead-Eye”), and mainly loving his two sons, Blaine Flood Burley and Dale Meeks Burley and their many friends. Pops was a precious father-in-law and the sweetest grandfather who loved sharing stories, watching sports, sitting on the front porch, and drinking sweet tea. He was a member of Holt Baptist Church.
Harold was raised a Master Mason in Kennesaw Lodge #33 in 1967 and was a devoted Shriner, serving as an Ambassador for Hasan Shrine in Albany.
Harold is survived by his sons, Blaine (Conni) Burley of Sandersville, GA; Dale Burley of Osierfield; his grandchildren, Blaize (Collin) Myrick, Brandt (Evelyn) Burley, Brock Burley, and Daci (Ethan) Sobalvarro; his great-grandson Marshall Myrick; and his sister, Phyllis Poston. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Burley; his parents, Harold Sr. and Sadie Burley; and his brother, George
Pallbearers will be Brandt Burley, Brock Burley, Jason Withers, Jamie Vickers, Duane Mobley, and Bucky Tyler.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Irwin County Touchdown Club, P.O. Box 399, Ocilla, GA 31774 or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, c/o Hasan Temple, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany GA 31701 in memory of Harold Flood Burley, Jr.
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.