Mrs. Ella M. Garner Burgess, age 87 of Roanoke Rapids, NC, peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC.

Ella, a daughter of the late Herman Daniel Garner and Winnie Wood Garner, was born November 10, 1924 in Greensville County, VA.

She received her education while attending Hill School, Skippers, VA.

Her parents encouraged a hunger for a spiritual life, therefore, she joined Jerusalem Baptist Church at an early age and attended faithfully until she was no longer able to drive.

She was employed with Holiday Inn for 25 years and Econo Lodge from which she retired.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to Clarence Burgess, Sr.

She is lovingly survived by her husband: Clarence Burgess, Sr. of Rockingham, NC; eight children: Dozene Smith (Leslie) and Clarence Burgess, Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Dennis Garner of Bowie, MD, Joyce Williams (Ernest), Joan Cain (Shelton), Gwendolyn Burgess Sweat and Paul Burgess (Karen), all of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Dora Patterson of Rockingham, NC; twenty grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren; her sister: Celeste Pearson of Chesapeake, VA; a host of other relatives and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. from the Memorial Chapel of Cofield Mortuary, Weldon, NC. Rev. George E. Battle, Sr. will deliver the eulogy.

Interment will follow in the Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery, Skippers, VA.

The Cofield Family and Staff extends their heartfelt sympathy and continued support to the Burgess Family during and after this period of bereavement.