Mary Elaine Burgess

Services for Mary Elaine Fagan Burgess of Chandler will be held on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM at West Lake Baptist Church in Chandler with Rev. Lee Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Broyles Chapel Cemetery in Palestine, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Elaine, a dedicated Christian, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, devoted wife, accomplished cook and traveler, died on March 21, 2013. Elaine was born on November 11, 1931 in Tyler, TX to the late Joseph and Neddye “Sissy” Fagan. The oldest of 3 girls, her late sister Joyce Boone and surviving sister Margie Wright who lives with her husband Clyde of 59 years in Chandler, TX. Known for ease in conversation and generousity, Elaine made friends wherever she lived. Throughout Elaine’s life she devoted herself to her family, making sure her children knew their Savior and was always involved in their school activities. Her pranks with her sisters, contagious laughter and joy for life will never be forgotten. After graduating from John Tyler High School, she attended Tyler Junior College and distinguished herself as a member of the Apache Bells. She and her late husband of 50 years, Walter G. Burgess lived as far east as Baghdad, Iraq and as far west as Poway, California during their adventurous life. Elaine also enjoyed a successful real estate career topping the $1M mark in sales in multiple years. Elaine and Walt raised three children, Theresa, Mark and Gretchen and took them on many family vacations from Big Bend, TX to Canada. She showed her care and love for family through her cooking, cake decorating, sewing and turning any simple event into a party. As a strong Christian, Elaine shaped her children’s Christian faith through constant prayer and involvement in church activities. With a zest for life, Elaine loved to dance, read, pray, vacation and play games with her children and grand children. She made a concentrated effort to keep in touch with her many friends. After retirement she loved spending time with her children, grand children, sisters and many friends. She was always reaching out with a kind word, visit or sending a book or article to show her love and concern. She is survived by her sister Margie and her husband Clyde Wright, children Theresa and husband Steve Glazener, Mark and wife Nicole Burgess, Gretchen and husband Joe McConathy, 8 grand children and 1 great grandchild along with many loving relatives. Visitation is scheduled on Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler.

Mary Elaine Burgess

November 11, 1931 - March 21, 2013