Betty Loujeania Conner Burgess, 78, passed away Friday, December 21, 2007, at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Mrs. Burgess had lived in Mill Spring, Columbus, Shelby, and Cullowhee. Born in Polk County, NC, on February 17, 1929, she was the eldest of the ten children of the late John Walker Conner and Marjorie Bell Walker. In addition to her parents, her husband, William Albert (Bill) Burgess, Jr., a brother, John Neil Conner, a sister, Patricia Conner Lynch Taylor, a niece and a nephew preceded her in death.Mrs. Burgess was a member of Columbus Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon and an Elder. She attended Limestone College and Berea College prior to her marriage and graduated from Western Carolina University where she received BS and MA degrees in education. Betty taught school in Polk County, Shelby, and Jackson County for 32 years, primarily in first grade and kindergarten. After moving to Cullowhee in 1974 Betty and Bill immediately joined the Catamount Club and became very strong supporters of WCU. Throughout the years the Burgesses helped countless students complete their educations.Betty was an avid reader, Canasta player, and football fan, but her happiest times were with her family. Her beautiful smile and loving ways will be greatly missed. She is survived by a son, Weston Burgess and wife, Patty of Weaverville; daughter, Vicky Burgess Smathers and husband, Lenny of Granite Falls; step-grandson Petty Officer Ryan McClure, US Navy; two brothers, Pickens Conner and wife Heather of Carrolton, GA, Nesbit Conner and wife Anna of Tryon; five sisters, Ina Constance and Polly Conner of Columbus, Geraldine Harris and husband, C.W., of Mooresboro, Ellen Taylor and husband Bill of Penrose, and Ruth Brown and husband Joe of Carlsbad, NM. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jean Conner and brother-in-law, Johnny Taylor both of Columbus, 23 nieces and nephews, many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.A celebration of Betty's life will be held on at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 27 at Columbus Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.Memorials may be made to Western Carolina University, Catamount Club, 401 H.F. Robinson Bldg., Cullowhee, NC 28723 or the charity of one's choice.
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