J.W. Woodward Funeral Home | Spartanburg, SC

Obituary For John Burgess, Sr.

John Ben Burgess, Sr. was born on March 25, 1949 to the late Otis Ben Burgess and Hazel Cureton Burgess. He went to be with the Lord on September 27, 2018. He was the husband of the late Lynn Kaye Burgess.

Mr. Burgess was employed with District Six School System. He served in various areas from 1976 to 2009, until his return in 2013. John enjoyed his career in education that included working on Special Education, Assistant Principal of Fairforest Middle School and Dorman High School, a Substitute Teacher and as the In School Suspension Instructor.

Pastor John B. Burgess was the pastor of Hunger for Hope Ministries in Spartanburg, SC. “Gentle Ben” impacted the lives of many students, parents, co-workers, friends and family members. Pastor John B. Burgess ministered to everyone he met on a daily basis. He leaves an awesome legacy of love.

In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl D. Burgess and James E. Burgess; and a sister, Betty Hall.

Survivors include: his sons, John B. (Toronda) Burgess, Earl D. (Deede) Burgess and Maurice Burgess; his daughter, Ebone’ P. (Treva) Burgess; his sister, Myrna Frye; his brother, Thomas Burgess, Sr.; his step-sister, Thelma Littlejohn; his foster siblings, Janice Williams, Cynthia Lee and Beverly Norman; his sister-in-law, Wilma Burgess; and his five grandchildren, Brittany Burgess, Erica Burgess, Earl Burgess, III, Gabriel Reeves and Ean Burgess.

A Celebration of the Life of John Ben Burgess will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at New Faith International, 13 Ark Main St., Spartanburg, SC. Pastor Rosavelt Copeland will officiate. Burial will be in the White Hall Methodist Church Cemetery, 130 Brown Arrow Circle, Inman, SC.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. J. W. Woodward Funeral Home

Guest Book

I loved Mr. Burgess. He was always so sweet and funny. We would sneak out to lunch and he would tell us we could go if we brought him something back. One time though, the principal saw us and he had to turn us in. It broke his heart. He was one of a kind. With much love and respect, Leigh Warlick

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I loved Mr. Burgess. He always looked after us with a smile and a kind heart. We would sneak out for lunch in my bright VW Rabbit and he would catch us every time. If we brought him something back he said he would let us go. He was a joy to be around. With much love, Leigh Warlick

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I know it's never to late to show kindness and love but john was my friend and he married my childhood best friend lynn kay RIP Debra smith

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To JB,Earl and everyone I love you and I'm sorry for your lost. Your dad was a loving man and I will miss him. Love y'all always.

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My condolences to the family of John. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you. A classmate from Mary McCloud Bethune School. Dolly Kirkland MeansPorter

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John was such a special man. We had so much fun at Dorman. He was my supervisor, my colleague, and my friend! He shared his faith like he shared his smile, effortlessly! When I think of Dorman, I will think of John! Debra Bishop

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