Betty Jean Rouse Burge

Mrs. Betty Jean Rouse Burge went to her Eternal Home on September 8, 2019 at the age of 83. Betty was born June 23, 1936, to Clayton Ellis and Bonnie Mae Payton Rouse in Baxterville, MS. Her love for nature began early, and she enjoyed a childhood shared with many pets, and as well as two brothers and a sister; HK, Clayton, and Joan. After completing high school, she attended Pearl River Junior College where she met her husband of 48 years, Bobby Joe Burge. They had two daughters, Robbin Jean and Malena Faye. She was "Mams" to Barry Wayne and Phoebe Jean. She had two great grandsons, Brandon and Andrew Morgan. After her girls were in school, Betty enrolled in Mississippi College, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her teaching career began after moving to Poplarville in 1969. She taught fifth grade at Poplarville Upper Elementary for 30 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Poplarville where she served in the Children's Choir program as the Pre-School Music Teacher for over twenty years. She enjoyed being a member of Miss Catherine Moody's Sunday School class until her declining health prevented her from attending. Betty's parents, Ellis and Bonnie; her husband , Bobby Joe; her brother, HK; precede her in death. Family members include two daughters, Robbin Vance and her husband Gerald and Malena Williams; her sister, Joan Salter and her husband James; two sisters-in-law, Mary Nell Rouse, Jeanette Cranford; one brother, Clayton Rouse and his wife Shirlene; grandchildren, Barry Morgan and his wife Sarah, Phoebe Baessler and her husband Richard; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Services will be held at White Funeral Home, 315 Hwy 11 S, Poplarville on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Burial will follow in Poplarville City Cemetery. Visiting one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorials may be directed to Solace Hospice, 1310 S Main St, Poplarville, MS, 39470 or Pearl River County SPCA - Poplarville (Spay & Neuter Initiative, Attention: Dara Hooper) PO Box 191, Picayune, MS, 39466. White Funeral Home, (601) 795-4982.