Mary Ester Burgess

Mary Ester Burgess, age 80, of Water Valley, MS was unexpectedly welcomed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. Mary was born June 26, 1941 in Yalobusha County as one of eleven children to the late Ellis and Louida (Polk) Caldwell. Mary is described as having a blessed spirit and a loving heart. Having a close relationship with The Lord, she never complained about anything, and allowed her faith to guide her throughout her life. She had worked at Big Yank for twenty-seven years, but lived the last years of her life as a caregiver. As a dedicated mother and grandmother, family was always her focus. But, Mary was also a very dedicated and integral part of Bayson Chapel M.B. Church where she served as a church Mother, a Sunday School teacher as well as on the kitchen committee. When she wasn’t serving her church or her family, she loved to spend time studying her Bible, working word puzzles, spending time with her flowers, especially roses. But she always made time to watch Days of Our Lives and Wheel of Fortune. A time, that is said, was not to be disturbed.

A wake is planned for Friday, July 16, 2021, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Services will immediately follow at 3:00 PM in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Pastor Amos Sims officiating. Burial will be in Bayson Chapel Cemetery Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Due to Covid concerns, there will not be a repast afterwards.

Mary leaves behind to cherish her memory two sons, Dwight Burgess (Valerie) of Water Valley, MS, Hubbard Fitzgerald Burgess (Charlotte) of Southaven, MS; four daughters, Dr. Linda Parker (Johnny) of Tulsa, OK, Anita Nicholson of Coffeeville, MS, Cynthia Johnson of Santa Ana, CA, Latonia Burgess-Smith (Lamar) of Water Valley, MS; one sister, Lottie Pearl Brown of Chicago, IL; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by four brothers, Columbus Caldwell, Willie B. Caldwell, J.D. Caldwell, Ellis Caldwell Jr; and five sisters, Annie Caldwell, Louise Buford, Erma Hanner, Adell Byers, and Allie Bertha Caldwell.