}lJfomegoino Cefe6ration /or Louise (Burness ((Come ye 6fesseaofmy Patlier, inlierit tlie RiTlfJaom prepareafor youfrom tliefourufation oftlie worU. .. " Saturcfay, Jlpri{30, 2005 - rr'we{ve :Noon rtumer :Jrfonumenta[Jljrican 1vtetlioaist P.piscopa[Cliurcli 66 JfowaraStreet, :N. C. }ltfanta, 9Jl30317 ~erenaJfaywaraWliite, Officiating 7lie ife of. . . ~pj)~ Louise Burgess was born November 8,1934 to the late Mr. & Mrs. Clarence (Mamie) Meredith. She was the fourth of six siblings, three preceding her in death. Her early years were spent in Muscogee County, Georgia. In 1938 she moved with her parents to Fulton County, Georgia, where she received her early education in the Atlanta Public School System. Louise graduated from David T. Howard High School in 1952. She was accepted at Spelman College to pursue her secondary education. She sacrificed her college education for the purpose of marriage and starting a family. On January 31, 1954, Louise was united in Holy Matrimony to Alphonzo Burgess. While browsing through memorabilia, the following entry was found in Louise's yearbook after her wedding, "On Monday, January 31,1955 a party was given in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Alphonzo Burgess on their First Wedding Anniversary. It was a wonderful celebration. There were friends from everywhere. There was card playing and dancing. We are hoping there will be many more anniversaries to come in the future." As she hoped, they were married for 51 years. Four children were born from this union, Cynthia Allene, Vickie Denise, Sonya Renay, David Leonard ill. Motherhood began in Perry Homes, continued in Grady Homes, and transitioned to suburban Dekalb County in 1966. As a mother, she was actively involved in the lives of her children, training them up in the way they should go. In their early years Louise was involved with the March of Dimes, Bluebirds, Boys and Girls Club, volunteer Homeroom Parent program, Summer Reading Program sponsored by the Atlanta Public Library, and countless other projects that served to lay a good foundation for her children. That early foundation also included involving them in the church. In the early 1980's, Louise joined Turner Monumental AME Church under Rev. Ulric George. She was a faithlul and active member, serving as President of Auxiliary Board No.2, member of the Steward Board and Choir Mother for the C.C. Hughes Gospel Choir. In 1989, she was voted Woman of the Year at Turner Monumental. She was a member of the Mortgage Fund Committee (1983), and served as the Women's Day Co-Chairperson in 1986. She taught many life lessons, not just through words, but through her actions. She mothered and mentored not just her own, but many children throughout the church and local community. Mrs. Burgess leaves loving memories to her husband, Mr. Alphonzo Burgess; children, Cynthia Burgess, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Jackson (Vickie), Rev. Dexter & Dr. Rowland (Renay), Commissioner David and Mrs. Burgess (Phyllis); grandchildren, Joyava Jackson, Jessica Rowland, Janessa Rowland, Dexter Rowland Jr., Crystal Burgess, Christina Burgess; brothers, William H. Meredith, Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Meredith (Maryll); and sister-in-law, Annie Grace Meredith. She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Order ofService Prelude Processional Opening Song ................"When I Rose This Morning" Invocation ..................... . .. Pastor Dexter Rowland Scripture: Old Testament Rev. Jacqueline Fulwood New Testament Rev. Melvin Edmonds Musical Tribute ......................... Combined Choir Reflections (3 minutes) Jerome Meredith Charlena Crowder Hubert Christmas Doris Bowden t5' ~ 0- "'-B Charles A. Jackson David Burgess