Obituary of Montrust Q. Burrell

Montrust Quinto Burrell, Jr., affectionately known to his family and friends as “Quinto” was the eldest of three sons born to the union of Montrust Quinto Burrell, Sr., and Mary Virginia Eastland on October 22, 1927. Quinto was united in Holy Matrimony to Jessie Mae Bostick on July 10, 1954. To this union was born two sons, Carlton Richard Burrell, Sr., and Earl Vance Burrell. He and Jessie were married more than sixty-one (61) years before his demise on September 6, 2015, at the Windsong Village Convalescent Center in Pearland, Texas. Quinto was a graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School, Class of 1943. Shortly afterwards, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Medical Technician. After a short stint in the Army, he was honorable discharged in 1946. Later, Quinto attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and in 1951, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He started his teaching career at Prairie View College in Hempstead, Texas. In 1958, he accepted a position as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He tenured there, but subsequently attended Tulane University and received his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967. In 1969, he was promoted to the position of Department Chairman, and in 1972 was appointed Dean of the College of Engineering at Southern University. Dean Burrell also served as Chairman of the Committee of Black Engineering Schools, held various offices in several national organizations, was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Scotlandville, Louisiana, and was prior Chairman of the Baton Rouge Senior Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and is a Registered Professional Engineer. Quinto was a highly respected educator who received numerous local and national awards. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing a feisty round of dominoes and spending quality time with his family. Quinto was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Charles Burrell. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Jessie Mae Burrell; devoted sons, Carlton Richard Burrell, Sr. (Lovie) and Earl Vance Burrell (Nella); his grandchildren, RoShaun Holt (Carlton), Carlton Richard Burrell, Jr., Omar Burrell (Shauncyni), Corlis Andrews (Timothy), Christopher Burrell, Jovan Burrell and Sean Burrell; two great grandchildren, C’Nya Holt and Tristan Andrews; and brother, Roger Wilson Burrell (Doretha). He will also be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, numerous extended family members and friends. A visitation and service for Montrust will be held Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Brentwood Baptist Church, 13033 Landmark St., Houston, Texas 77045 in the Worship Center. The family will receive guests from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm and the funeral service will follow beginning at 1:00 pm. A graveside service will take place Monday, September 21, 2015 at 11:30 am at Southern Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.