Paul Elwood Burnett, age 53, of Malvern, died Monday, November 10, 2008, in the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Malvern on June 23, 1955 to the late Paul E. and Beulah Swisher Burnett. Reared and receiving his early education in Malvern, Paul Jay, as he was known by his friends, was a 1973 graduate of Malvern High School. He later attended Henderson State University. Paul served in the United States Navy and was a Merchant Marine. For the past 17 years he was a librarian and the Bookmobile coordinator for the Malvern/Hot Spring County Library. Along his route, which encompassed Hot Spring, Dallas, Cleveland and Grant Counties, the rural residents looked forward to his monthly visits. An avid reader, gardener, and collector, Paul was a beloved son, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by a son, Christopher L. Burnett, of Pine Bluff; a brother, Craig and his wife Deanna Burnett of Malvern; four sisters, Paula Ollar of Denton, Texas, Pamela Garofas of West Helena, Arkansas, Joan and her husband Dan Herrmann of Dallas, Texas, and Jill and her husband Tony Finley of Magnet Cove, and by many loving nieces and nephews.

At Paul's request, his body was cremated and there will be no service.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Friday evening, November 14, 2008, from five until seven o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Paul's name to the Malvern/Hot Spring County Library.

The family will be headquartered at 1202 Grayson Circle, Malvern.

Online condolences may be sent via J.A.Funk Funeral Home.