She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life……. Proverbs 31
On August 3, 2023, a woman much like the one described in Proverbs 31 went to her heavenly home. Myra Jane Spearman Burgess was born on March 3, 1933 (3-3-33) to William Spearman and Montie Spearman in Excelsior, Arkansas. Myra was married to Dr. James Burgess, Jr for 70 years and enjoyed a fulfilling and happy life in her favorite place on earth, Greenwood, Arkansas.
Mrs. Burgess was good at everything she attempted whether it was writing, playing tennis, flower arranging, and raising her four children. She was well known in her community as a strong Christian woman, an avid supporter of the Bulldogs and the Razorbacks, a member of the Greenwood Garden Club and Focus on Greenwood. She was also known to have helped many friends with home renovations and interior design through the years.
In addition to her community work, Mrs. Burgess was a devoted wife to her husband, Dr. James A. Burgess, Jr. for 70 years. During their life together, she helped support her husband’s local dental practice, assisted in the growth and work at Northside Church of Christ, was a foster mother to several teenagers, and a devoted mother to four children, nine grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Her devotion as a mother led the Governor of Arkansas to name Myra and her husband as 2014 Parents of the Year.
Mrs. Burgess was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James Burgess; her son, Trey Burgess; her parents, William and Montie Spearman; her brothers, Gene Spearman, Earl Spearman, J.W. Spearman, Merle Spearman, Bill Spearman, Ervin Spearman, Carl Spearman and one sister, Willa Mae Dodds.
She is survived by three children, Rozanne Sterling (Mark), Dane Burgess (Tara) and Suzanne Wilson (Don), as well as nine grandchildren, Brooks Coatney (Amie), Holly Elarbee (Glen), Taylor Sterling (Alexis), Ryan Sterling (Christen), Tyler Wilson, Allie Deacon (Adam), Jabe Burgess, Jaxon Burgess and Jett Burgess. She also has ten great grandchildren.
Pallbearers are her grandsons, Brooks Coatney, Glen Elarbee, Taylor Sterling, Ryan Sterling, Tyler Wilson, Adam Deacon, Jabe Burgess, Jaxon Burgess and Jett Burgess.
Visitation will be held at the Northside Church of Christ in Greenwood from 3 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7, where the family will visit with friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8 at Northside Church of Christ with burial at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Greenwood Education Foundation, Burgess Memorial Scholarship, 420 North Main Street Greenwood, AR 72936.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
