Kathleen Burgess

Kathleen was born on January 26, 1930 in Maben, Mississippi to Blake and Minnie Lee Kilpatrick Johnson. She was the tenth child of twelve children. Kathleen graduated from Maben High School in 1949. She began working at the Wells Lamont Glove factory after graduation. She had an appendicitis attack that summer and went to the hospital in Houston, MS. While she was a patient, she learned that the hospital had a nurse training program that provided room and board. After her recovery she became a nursing student and she met and fell in love with JR Burgess, who was visiting his father at the hospital. Kathleen and JR were married in 1952 and moved from MS to FL because JR received orders to be stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. Upon their arrival, Kathleen worked as an LPN in Eau Gallie, Florida. Later Kathleen and her late husband, JR Burgess moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1954 where she continued to reside until 2021 when she moved to Orlando, Florida. She began working for Pan American World Airways as a clerk after the birth of her first daughter. She had many jobs and titles while working with Pan Am at the Tech Lab on Patrick Air Force Base. She retired after 33 ½ years as the technical librarian. She helped to oversee many changes at the library including consolidating all classified documents to be stored in one secure vault she was also instrumental in making the transition from a paper card catalog system to a computerized system.

Kathleen made her decision of faith in Jesus Christ as a young teenager after attending a Brush Arbor Revival. Kathleen and JR joined First Baptist Church of Merritt Island in 1954. They were active members serving the Lord in many capacities. Kathleen taught ten year old girls Sunday School for over 20 years and she was an active member of the church hospitality committee. Later she and JR taught the “Little Lambs” class where they taught new believers to memorize the book of John. In her retirement years, Kathleen was involved in the Early Risers Sunday School Class, the Golden Ramblers, the Alternative Pregnancy Center, and the House of Hope.

Kathleen was a woman faith, always serving others as an example of God’s mercy and love. She was a friend to the needy and downtrodden as well as a loving matriarch to her family, especially her grandchildren! She had a passion for traveling and seeing the globe, plus she loved to garden and watch her flowers and vegetables grow. She was an excellent seamstress, cook and hostess. Kathleen leaves behind a legacy of love and service that transformed lives and left an enduring impact of a quiet life lived for the glory of God.

“His Lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things, enter into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Joseph Roland Burgess, Jr., her parents Minnie Lee Kilpatrick and Blake L. Johnson, along with her brothers and sisters: Archie Johnson, Hazel Johnson Washam, Mrytle Johnson Seawright, Willie B Johnson, Alvin Johnson, Jeffie Mae Johnson Criddle, Melvin “Sonny B” Johnson, Andy “Tot” Johnson, Mary Johnson Reed, Ol’leen Johnson Savell Storey, Lorene Johnson Savell Thaggard.

Kathleen is survived by her two daughters; Deborah Burgess Wise (Mike) of Claxton, GA and Amy Burgess Bostick (Jim) of Orlando, FL; her grandchildren: Aaron Wise (Jamie) of Chula, GA, Asha Wise of Claxton, GA, and Beau Bostick of Denver CO; her great grandsons: James, Will, and JR Wise all of Chula, GA along with numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Early Risers Sunday School Class.

Memorial gifts can be sent to: House of Hope, FBCMI, 330 Magnolia Ave. Merritt Island, FL 32952 or GROW Women’s Ministry, Center Pointe Church 9580 Curry Ford Rd. Orlando, FL 32825.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Baptist Church Merritt Island on August 30, 2025 with the viewing at 10:30 and the service starting at 11:00. Kathleen’s Early Riser Sunday School class will host a reception following the service. The Internment will follow at 2:30 pm at Brevard Memorial Park 320 Spring Street Cocoa, FL 32927.