W. Emerson Burgess
Published 11:06 am Thursday, September 20, 2018
CAPRON — Wallace Emerson Burgess, 88, went to be with his Lord on Sept. 18, 2018. He passed away in his home surrounded by his family.
W. Emerson Burgess
A native of Southampton County, Emerson was one of 13 children of the late Gholie Seward and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Newsome Burgess, and was also predeceased by his siblings, Roger Burgess, Bill Burgess, Helen Burgess, Sally Frances Francis, Lloyd “Happy” Burgess, Raymond Burgess and McCoy Burgess.
He was a 1947 graduate of Courtland High School and an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 45th Infantry Division, and was a member of the Honor Guard for the 8th Army Headquarters in Seoul.
Emerson was a retired livestock manager for the Virginia Department of Corrections, and a member of Vincent’s Grove United Methodist Church where he served as lay leader for many years.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Shirley Grizzard Burgess; three daughters, Kathleen B. Everett (Terry,) Jan B. Bryant (George) and Dr. Tina M. Burgess; three sisters, Swann Broocke, Ann Davis (Wayne) and Carolyn Arnsberger (Jerry); two brothers, Earl Burgess (Cecelia) and Wayne Burgess (Barbara;) six grandchildren, Jill Tyler (Nate,) Megan Everett, Joey Everett (Taylor,) Sebrell Bryant, Lee Bryant (Elizabeth) and Aaron Bryant; one great-grandchild Emma Tyler; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Emerson was a faithful servant of his Lord and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The family expresses sincere appreciation to Fannie Barnes, Loretta Surace, and his hospice team of Ann Matthews and Candace Pride for their loving care of Emerson.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, in Vincent’s Grove United Methodist Church, Courtland, with the Rev. Fred C. Brockhausen III officiating, assisted by William Hart Gillette. Burial will follow at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery, Yale.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Vincent’s Grove United Methodist Church, c/o Randy Burgess, 23359 Hanging Tree Road, Courtland, VA 23837.
www.wrightfuneralhome.org.