COURTLAND — Joseph Madison “J.M.” “Jimmy” Burgess, 91, beloved father and grandfather, passed away on Aug. 7, 2018.

Mr. Burgess was a lifelong resident of Southampton County, and was a son of the late Matt and Lillie Mae Joyner Burgess.

He was a lifelong farmer and was a retired industrial carpenter for Union Camp Corporation after 30 years of service. He was a member of Vincent’s Grove United Methodist Church and the Courtland Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Burgess was predeceased by his wives, Dean Ramsey Burgess, Anne Reynolds Burgess and Mollie Lassiter Burgess; brothers, Elmo, Roland, Reginald and Allen Burgess; and sister, Virginia B. Covington.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Jenny B. Bunn (Blair) and Teresa B. Gibbs (Jonathan;) five sons, Joseph Madison Burgess Jr. (Connie,) Barry Dean Burgess (Jane,) Perry Glenn Burgess, Wyatt Dale Burgess (Patsy) and Todd Ramsey Burgess (Brenda;) nine grandchildren, Katie, April, Jarrod, Brad, Tana, Nikki, Taylor, Dean and Kole; 13 great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Cameron, Zach, Baylee, Austin, Blake, Ainsley, Jon-Charles, Ellie, Annie, Carson, Charlotte and Gracie; and Mollie’s children, Jeannie P. Ginn (Harvey) and Jimmy Parker Jr. (Amy,) and her grandchildren, Autumn, Joseph, Emilee and Trey.

He was a wonderful steward of the land, mud holes and washes in his fields required his immediate attention. He never met a stranger and was known far and wide for his superb sense of humor. He was admired by all who knew him and will be missed tremendously.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Fred Brockhausen officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home, and suggests that memorial donations be made to Vincent’s Grove United Methodist Church c/o Randy Burgess, 23359 Hanging Tree Road, Courtland, VA 23837.

www.wrightfuneralhome.com.