Edith Burgess Futrell

Edith Lee Burgess Futrell died after a brief illness at Mayview Convalescent Center on Friday, January 13, 2012. Edith Lee, daughter of Cale and Edith Burgess, was a Raleigh native. She graduated from UNC in 1947 with a degree in Physics and was a physics laboratory instructor at NCSU until her marriage to Archie W. Futrell, Jr in 1949. She resumed her career in 1974 at Rollins Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory after receiving her medical technician certification from Wake Tech. A lifelong learner, she later returned to NCSU and completed a certificate program in computer science. She worked for several RTP companies in support of toxicology research for NIEHS until her retirement in 1992.

Until this past November, she enjoyed working out at the Alexander Family YMCA, worshipping at Fairmont United Methodist Church, and visiting the North Carolina Museum of Art with friends and neighbors. She often traveled to visit her children and grandchildren out of state and a highlight of her life was the family trip to visit her ancestral home in Scotland.

Edith Lee is survived by her brothers Cale K Burgess (Jackie) of Raleigh, Robert L. Burgess (Martha) of Williamsburg, VA, and William C. Burgess (Ann) of San Diego, CA; she leaves three children: Julia F. Gaddy (Phillip) of San Antonio, TX; Archie W. Futrell III (Betty) of Raleigh; and Betty F. Lambert (Michael) of White Plains, NY. She had eleven grandchildren.

Family visitation will be Sunday from 3-5pm at Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh. A funeral service will be held Monday, 11am, at Fairmont UMC, 2501 Clark Avenue, Raleigh. Burial will follow the service at Montlawn Memorial Park.

If you would like to honor Edith Lee’s memory with a donation, she was active at Fairmont United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Ave., Raleigh NC 27607.