Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces the death and funeral services for Mrs. Lucille Nixon Burgess, 93, of Hiawassee, who passed away on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 at her home.
Mrs. Burgess was born on February 21st, 1927. She was a daughter of the late Julius Nixon and the late Birdie McDaris Nixon. Lucille was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church of Hiawassee. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Burgess; and children, Carol Brown, Elaine Adams, and Gene Burgess.
Lucille Burgess, Lucy to all who knew her, was a force to be reckoned with. Born and raised in Morganton, Georgia, she left home at age 15 with a suitcase and a small amount of money from her mother. She took a bus to Atlanta, Georgia, not knowing exactly where she was going or where she might find work. On her first job, waiting tables at a small diner in Marietta, Georgia, she met her husband of over 50 years. And the rest is history. They raised four children in Forest Park, Georgia, and retired to Hiawassee, Georgia in 1986. Lucy's career included providing military transport logistics for soldiers and their families and as a VA payroll clerk. After retirement, Lucy volunteered at the local hospital and joined a bowling league where she continued to bowl until age 92.
Lucy was a take-charge kind of person. When she set her mind to something there was no stopping her. She was always kind to others and lent a helping hand when needed. She enjoyed church, especially her Ladie's Sunday School Class. Lucy taught herself to play guitar. She also loved sewing, crocheting, and quilting. Many people have one of her beautiful quilts to remember her by. If she was sitting, she had something in her hands to work on. She enjoyed gardening in retirement, planting many beautiful flowers in her yard. Lucy also loved reading. Her life was full and she got her last wish of dying peacefully at home in her own bed. Rest in Peace sweet lady.
Survivors include her daughter, Susan Miles of Newhall, California; her grandchildren: Frank Hill, Cindy Tate, Mike Adams, Jason Barnes, Brian Barnes, Amanda Burgess and Corey Burgess; eight great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren also survive.
Graveside services are scheduled for Sunday, July 12th, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. from the Morganton Methodist Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Brian Barnes, Boyd Miles, Darrell Whittaker, Sandy Raines, Eva (Pinky) Dailey, and Donnie Nixon.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be following the guidelines set by the State of Georgia for funerals. We request that non-family members stay at a safe distance of six feet apart, and wear a mask if possible for you to do so. Thank you for your cooperation.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee. Please share your condolences and sign the guest registry online at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.