Benjamin Elershia Burgess, Jr.

Benjamin Elershia Burgess, Jr. was born July 29, 1964 in New York City (Bronx), New York to Farrel M. Harris, mother and Benjamin Burgess, Sr., father. He was called home to rest on Friday morning, July 3, 2015. Ben gave his life to Christ and knew him well as his personal Lord and Savior. He attended Edison High School in Stockton, California and after graduation joined and served in the United States Army. As a man of intellect, believing in higher learning, he attended Houston Community College and the University of Phoenix. As a hard working family man and true provider for his family, he was employed for over 30. He worked for companies such as Excel, Hewlett Packard and Simos Solutions in a management and supervising capacity "Burge" as he was fondly known by most, was a man of great compassion and love. Nothing was too good for his family and those he called friends. He went to great lengths to express his love by "actions" and not just words. His sense of family was so huge that his heart and dis doors were always open. His beloved wife "Sherry", as he called her was the true love of his life and he held her to a higher standard. Nothing was too hard to handle with them as a team from the start of their union in 1983 to the sunset of his life. Benjamin leaves to cherish his precious memories: devoted and beloved wife, Cheryl Burgess; children Tonya Edwards, Sherika Edwards, Tywonia Edwards West (Emanuel), Kario Edwards (Sophia), Stanley Wade (Ashley) and Oroneisha Burgess; loving mother, Farrel M. Harris; father, Benjamin Burgess, Sr.; brothers, Allen Washington and Clifford Washington; sisters Linda Oliver (Ricky) and Jannie Burgess, thirty-three grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Benjamin was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Washington and granddaughter Sa'Niyah Amia Wade of Houston, Texas.