Essie Mae Burgess

Essie Mae Burgess passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Sunday, August 26, 2012 in Plano, Texas at the age of 92. Essie moved to Plano in 2011 from Rochester, New York due to frail health. She resided in Rochester for fifty-six years. Essie was a deaconess at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester, New York where she loved and served faithfully. She also participated in the choir and hospitality.
She was fondly referred by many who knew and loved her as "Mother Burgess, Mom or Nanny". It was not unusual for her to receive phone calls for prayer during early morning hours. Hospitality was a gift she shared in her church and neighborhood. For many years she hosted interns from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Her popularity among interns soon spread as she was sought out often especially for her delicious home cooking which included, german chocolate and caramel cakes and homemade dinner rolls.
Essie was born in Eastman, Georgia to Annie and Charlie Bivins on September 4, 1919. She was the oldest of eight children (Herbert, Cennie, Freddie, Georgia, Margaret, Willie and Frank). She was married to Izell Burgess for forty-nine years, who predeceased her in 1995. Essie is survived by her son Parris (Jimmie) Burgess of Plano, Texas, three granddaughters Tiffany (Henry) Chambers, Jatonne Burgess, Monique (Paul) Torrez, five great grandchildren Kheyara Burgess, Henry Chambers, Kameron Chambers, Anthony Torrez and Amiah Torrez, brother Frank (Mary) Chambers, Nephew Reverend James (Ida) Morice and a host of nieces, nephews and loving friends Cloe and Lamar Ashford.
A funeral service honoring the life Essie May Burgess will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Drive Plano, Texas 75023.