Raymond E. "Buddy" Burgess

Raymond E. (Buddy) Burgess, 89, of Chattanooga,went home to be with his Lord August 1, 2018 after a lengthy illness.  He was at home surrounded by his devoted wife, children and grandchildren.

He was a native of Guntersville, AL and had lived in Chattanooga over 60 years.

Buddy was a member of Tiftonia Baptist Church for over 60 years, and was a veteran of the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force.  He was retired from ABB-Combustion Engineering where he worked for 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, Alabama football and trips with family and friends. The family sends a thank you to Hospice of Chattanooga, especially Morgan and Lindsay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen & Homer Burgess, and his sisters, Joyce King and Juanita Chamblee.

Buddy is survived by his faithful wife of 65 years, Nell Leslie Burgess, Chattanooga, TN;  four children: Eddie (Debbie) Burgess, Flintstone, GA;  Rodney (Susan) Burgess, Rossville, GA;  Kathy (Leston) Rorex, Rock Spring, GA; Mary (David) Hammons, Chattanooga, TN;  sister, Earnestine Lightsey, Guntersville, AL;  Grandchildren:  Jennifer Burgess, Wes Gossett, Matthew Rorex, Corey Rorex, Lance (Cori) Rorex, Shelley (James) Henderson, Amber (Adam) McAfee, Heather (Morgan) Underwood, Aspen Burgess; 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many dear nieces and nephews.

Please share your expressions of sympathy at lane-southcrestchapel.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tiftonia Baptist Church Building Fund, 518 Brown’s Ferry Rd., Chattanooga TN  37419.

Funeral service will be held at Tiftonia Baptist Church Saturday, 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tom McGuirt and Rev. Mark Brandon officiating. Interment will follow in the Lakewood Memory Gardens West. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Horton, C. B. Keel and John Tallent.  Pallbearers will be Wes Gossett, Matthew Rorex, Corey Rorex, Lance Rorex, James Henderson, Morgan Underwood, and Adam McAfee.

The family will receive friends Friday from 4pm – 8pm at the funeral home and Saturday 11am – 1pm. at the church.

Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.