Mary W. Burgess

Died: Feb. 9, 2013

Mary W. Patton Shelton Burgess, age 94, of the Tusculum and Horse Creek communities, passed away early Saturday morning at Laughlin Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Burgess would have celebrated her 95th birthday Feb. 24.

She was a longtime member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

She was a descendent of the Earnest family and loved talking about her heritage.

She was a loving, devoted Christian mother to her five children, whom she loved very much, and was a caregiver to her mother and father for many years.

She loved flowers and gardening and was known for her beautiful smile.

Survivors include her four daughters and sons-in-law: Rebecca Bowers of Chuckey, Barbara and James Lovelace of Virginia, Joann and John Foster of Tusculum, and Phyllis and Wallace Kirk of Mosheim; one son and daughter-in-law: Kelsey and Joyce Shelton of Tusculum; grandchildren: Eva and Alan Campbell, Sandy and Mike McInturff, Mary and Mike Mack, Julie and Bill Renner, David and Pam Bowers, Bryan and Lisa Kirk, Todd and Mindi Kirk, Wayne and Jodi Shelton, Paul Shelton, Steven Lovelace, Belinda Lovelace, Melanie and Joe Bowman, Jane and Andy Easterly, and Joy and Greg Broyles; great-grandchildren: Chad and Jolene Campbell, Jeff and Halie Campbell, Lynna and Clint Bingham, Steven McInturff, Amanda and Chris Brooks, Logan Mack, Allan and Jamie Cutshall, Blake Bowers, Jordan Bowers, Justin and Ashley Kirk, Alex and Alivia Kirk, Abigail Shelton, Karlee Lovelace, Joseph Bowman IV, Melinda Bowman, Adamson Easterly, and Erika Easterly; four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Juanita Patton Jones and Maybrey Gfellers; a brother-in-law: Paul Shelton; several nieces and nephews; the father of her children: Glen Shelton; and her special caregiver: Janice Knipp.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Hubert Burgess; parents: Julian and Kitty Earnest Patton; son-in-law: the Rev. James Bowers; three brothers: Sam Patton, Henry Patton, and infant, John Patton; and one infant sister: Rebecca Patton.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. today at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Grove FWB Church. The Rev. Billy Gragg and the Rev. Gene Swatzell will officiate.

Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The body will be taken to church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service.

Active pallbearers will be grandsons: Wayne and Paul Shelton, Steve Lovelace, Bryan and Todd Kirk, and David Bowers.

Honorary pallbearers will be her caregivers at Laughlin HealthCare Center, the nursing staff of Laughlin Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Joseph Scott.