County man dies in morning fire Victim said to have ‘a heart of gold’

Published 11:45 am Monday, December 5, 2011

A Warren County man, disabled since an accident more than 12 years ago, was killed in a fire at his mobile home early this morning.

John Brandon Graham, 56, was found dead in the kitchen of his home on Rooster Ridge Road, off 615 Burnt House Road, said Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey.

“He would do anything he could for anybody,” said Graham’s nephew, Miles White. “He had a heart of gold.”

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White said his uncle lost a leg in a brush-cutting accident 12 years ago and had a prosthetic leg.

“This is a terrible, nasty day, and it’s going to be a hard week,” he said.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the fire was reported by a neighbor at just after 4:30.

The home was engulfed in flames when firefighters from the Fisher Ferry and LeTourneau volunteer departments arrived.

Later this morning, aiding in the investigation were Warren County Volunteer Fire Coordinator Kelly Worthy and James Jackson of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“Foul play is not suspected at this time, but because there was a death, the protocol is to call the state for assistance,” Pace said.

Huskey said an autopsy would be performed at the Mississippi State Crime Lab.

Tensie Graham said this morning that her son loved watching movies, particularly westerns, adding, “John Wayne was his idol.”

She said her son was born in San Diego and grew up in Vicksburg, and graduated from Warren Central High School. She said he served in the U.S. Army and at one time worked for the sheriff’s department, adding that he had three children.

“He liked having visitors,” she said. “He did not get out much because of the effort to get the things he needed to take with him when he went someplace.”

She said he was retired and was on disability for respiratory problems, and living alone in the mobile home on family land.

Huskey said Glenwood Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.