Carolyn Burgess

1935-2019

Carolyn Stuart Burgess, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, niece, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on January 19th, 2019 in Newport, North Carolina. Carol was born in Elkin, North Carolina to Gladys and Claude Stuart and spent her formative years in Elkin. She graduated from Elkin High School where she played in the band, became an active player on the school’s basketball team and member of the monogram club. Carol was also an active Girl Scout and was selected as a camp counselor to an All State Camp in Cody, Wyoming in 1951. Upon graduation from Elkin High School in 1953, Carol enrolled as a nursing student in Winston-Salem, NC. Her nursing career was interrupted when she was introduced to Samuel A. Burgess, Jr. Sam had come to Elkin from Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia to begin pastoral duties at the First Presbyterian Church in Elkin. Their courtship blossomed and led to marriage in January, 1954.

Carol had the unique opportunity to travel with Sam to St. Andrews, Scotland where he continued academic studies at St. Andrews University in theology. While in Scotland, Samuel Adamson Burgess, III was born, in 1955. They moved back to the States to Garner, NC in 1956. In 1957, the couple welcomed a second child, Madge Lawrence, to the household. In 1960, another daughter blessed the Burgess family, Barbara Anne. In 1964, a fourth child was added to the Burgess home, Linda Carolyn. With four children to care for, Carol’s responsibilities increased dramatically not only at home, but being a ministry of presence for her husband and his church.

After the children’s formative years, Carol was recommended for a position as a Senate aide and data processor with the North Carolina Legislature in Raleigh in 1971. Carol accepted the position. Based on her accomplishments with the North Carolina Legislature, Carol accepted a position with the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill in 1978 as office manager. She was credited with producing the N.C. County Salaries publication each year until her retirement in the late 1990s.

Despite being employed full time, Carol found time to go back to her roots and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader with a local troop in Garner in the late 1960s. Being an avid reader of history, Carol also became active volunteering for the Garner Library Board. She even found time to be a docent with the N.C. History Museum in the early 1970s.

During Carol’s retirement years, she continued to be an avid reader of history and geography and became interested in researching the Burgess family tree. Due to her fondness for reading, Carol spent time volunteering in first grade at Vandora Springs Elementary School in Garner. She also enjoyed being a member of a book club and bridge club. Carol’s important role during this time was the attention she gave to her grandchildren.

Survivors to cherish Carol’s memory are her son Samuel Adamson Burgess III (Jimi Ann) of Wilmington, NC; Madge B. Webster (David) of Chocowinity, NC; Barbara A. Smith of Richmond, Virginia; Linda B. Cleve (Bill) of New Bern, NC; eight grandchildren, David Samuel Webster (Kaitlyn) of Chapel Hill, NC; Andrew M. Webster (Katie) of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Elizabeth B. Freedland (Harrison) of Wilmington, NC; Adamson M. Burgess of Charlotte, NC; Alexandra S. Payne (Paige) of Haymarket, Virginia; Caroline Smith of Venice Beach, California; Mary Hannah and Will Cleve of New Bern, NC; great-grandchildren Mya Webster and Mason Webster; sister, Deanna Cockerham of Lewisville, NC; brother, Clyde “Bud” Stuart of Punta Gorda, Florida. Carol was preceded in death by her husband Sam in September, 2010.

One special attribute that Carol had was her concern for others. Even when she faced her own health setbacks, she would ask how her other friends were doing. Carol will long be remembered for her accomplishments as a wife, mother, church member, and community leader.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in New Bern on January 26, 2019 at 11:00am. The family will receive visitors after the service. Private interment in the family cemetery will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 400 New Street, New Bern, NC 28560 or to the Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570. The Burgess Family would like to thank the staff at the Crystal Coast Hospice House for their care and support during Carol’s stay.