James Burgess

Waynesville-James Hugh Burgess, age 73, of 43 Burgess Loop, died Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at Memorial Mission Hospital after a long illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he is the son of Laura Messer Burgess of Waynesville and the late Samuel Medford Burgess, Sr. He is preceded in death by a stepson, Wade Messer. He was a musician known and loved by many. He is retired from the State of North Carolina Dept. of Transportation and a member of Liberty Baptist Church. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of VFW Post 5202.

He is survived in addition to his mother by his son, David Hugh Burgess, of Waynesville; his wife, Rhoda Gean Messer Burgess; his step children, Susie Messer, of Clyde, Charles ''Buddy'' Messer of Charlotte, Jarvis and Troy Messer both of Candler, Marguerite ''Punkin'' Woollen of Raleigh, and Sharon Messer of Zebulon, NC; a sister, Mary Lou Hannah of Waynesville; a brother, Samuel Medford Burgess, Jr.; two granddaughters; three great grandchildren; five stepgrandsons; and one step great granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2003 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2003 at the funeral home, and at other times, the family will be at the residence.

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