Arletha A. Burgess

Arletha Almeda Burgess was born on October 15, 1917, in Halifax County, North Carolina. She was the first of seven children born to the late Orah and Dicy Harris.Her early childhood years were spent in North Carolina where she was educated in the Warren County School System.She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Odell Baptist Church. As a young lady, Arletha attended church and Sunday school regularly.Arletha was united in Holy Matrimony to William Burgess in 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland. God blessed this marriage for 62 years. Of this union, one son was born, William L. Burgess.In order to help in providing for her family, Arletha often worked for several families. While doing domestic work t better herself, she took many nursing courses, at the Red Cross. After completing the required coursed she graduated and received her certification. She later obtained employment with a nurses registry and began private duty nursing for many prominent families in Baltimore.When Arletha moved to Baltimore she united with the Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the founder, the late Rev. Matthew Wilkerson. Sh sang on the choir for over forty years, and attended BTU and Bible Study weekly. Oh how she loved to sing and praise the Lord. Arletha loved her church and church family. She often spoke fondly of the Deacons and Deaconess who visited her monthly without failure and those surprise visits from Pastor Prentice. Whenever she had visitors, she always showed them her Pastor's picture.Arletha was a devout Christian who truly loved the Lord. She was loved by many and exemplified the fruits of the Spirit in her everyday life. Possessing a calm and sweet spirit, she was always so grateful for everything that was done for her.On October 29, 2009, Arletha answered the call of the Lord to leave this earthly tabernacle for her eternal home in Glory. She leaves to cherish her sweet memories: her loving son William Burgess, daughter-in-law, Patricia and one grand daughter, Taisha Burgess; two sisters Isabella Armstrong of Virginia Beach, VA; Ruby Williams of Hollister, NC; two brothers, Plummer Harris who preceded her in death; Elder Sidney Harris of Rocky Mount, NC; four brothers in-law: Grover Williams of Hollister, North Carolina; Moses Burgess, Littleton, North Carolina; Robert Burgess, Boston, Massachusetts; Rev. George Lynch of Wilmington, Delaware; five sisters-in-law, Alice Harris of Hollister, North Carolina; Mary Burgess, of Littleton, North Carolina; Norma Burgess, Littleton, North Carolina,; Ann Burgess of Boston, Massachusetts; Emilie Lynch of Wilmington, Delaware; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a loving care provider Lydia Johnson.

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Arletha A. Burgess

October 15, 1917 - October 29, 2009