Mr. Howard “Ray” Burgess, 78, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Ray was born on July 15, 1944 in Portsmith, VA to the late Annie Margaret Jones Burgess and Johnny Oscar Burgess. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Ann King; brother, Benjamin Oscar Burgess.
Ray had worked for over 40 years as a Customer Representative for CSX Transportation. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and playing cards with the guys. Ray was a fan of any ACC school-especially UNC, for basketball and football.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo Ellen Matthews Burgess; daughter, Melinda B. Edgerton and husband, Chris; son, Stephen Ray Burgess and wife, Mindy; sister, Tempie Leonard and husband, Plummer; grandchildren, Gwen Burgess, Emily Burgess, Amelia Hartsell and husband, Malachi, Ainsley Edgerton, Jonah Edgerton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or American Diabetes Association-North Carolina, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.