David Burgess

David Lamar Burgess of Poplarville, Mississippi passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, September 3, 2021 at the age of 61. Memorial Services and a Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Poplarville, MS from 10:00 – 12:00 on the morning of Saturday, September 11, 2021.

David was born in Mobile, Alabama in July of 1960. With his father in the military, he moved around a bit as a child, but his fondest memories come from his time growing up in Apex, North Carolina. As a senior in high school, his family moved to Picayune, MS where David graduated from Picayune Memorial High School. He later attended both Mississippi State University and Pearl River Community College. David held many jobs before finding his work home at the Containerboard Mill in Bogalusa, LA. David worked at the mill for 30 years as a contracted Mechanical and Piping Designer in the Engineering Department and then as the Facilities Preservationist. David had a strong work ethic, he always insisted that things be done the right way, and his job became a large part of his personal identity. His work was important to him, and he made many friends at the mill over the years that were just as important.

Family was important to David as well. He married, Lori, in 2000 and they remained married for 21 years until his passing. He loved her dearly and found happiness and comfort in their relationship. He made sure to leave no shortage of goofy stories for his mother and siblings to tell from their time in the early part of his life. As a father, he was loving, full of short phrases of advice, and always made sure to provide his son with the things he needed to be successful. As a grandparent to his granddaughters, “Pop” perfected the art of the tickle monster.

Above all else, David was a Christian man. He was an involved member at Oak Hill Baptist Church, and he truly found his calling in his work with the Damascus Road Recovery Center for Men where he led weekly Bible studies. A solid man of faith and principles, David never let this world shake who he was or dictate his actions.

David is survived by his wife, Lori Burgess; his son and daughter in law, David and Jessica Burgess; his granddaughters, Kylie and Emma Burgess; his mother, Maye Burgess; his siblings, Janine(Buddy) Clakely, Jeff(Kim) Burgess, and Jan(Joey) Barrett; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Gary and Shirley Gregersen; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Sherri Thigpen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence A. Burgess.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Damascus Road Recovery Center for Men. Those donations can be made through Oak Hill Baptist Church, 579 Oak Hill Road, Poplarville, MS 39470 or through www.oakhillministry.org.

Masks and social distancing are respectfully requested.