Reverend Charlie Ross Burgess, Sr., affectionately known
as "Big Daddy" and "Pastor Burgess" was born August 13,
1928, in Courtland, Alabama, to the late Bonnie Lucian
Burgess, Sr. and Sylvia Johnson Burgess. He departed this life
on Friday, December 29, 2023. At an early age, he accepted
Christ as his Lord and savior and joined Bethel Colbert
Missionary Baptist Church where he remained faithful for
over 80 plus years. Pastor Burgess retired from Reynolds
Alloys Plant after 27 years of dedicated service as a department
supervisor.

THE ACTIVIST: Pastor Burgess was a well-known civil rights
activist throughout the south; a pioneer and trailblazer for
Justice who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and
other well-known political activists. A champion for voter's
rights and equality, Pastor Burgess spent countless hours
ensuring voter's registration and transportation to voting
polls, often providing personal transportation. Moreover, he
led the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March yearly
for Colbert County and served as President of the Martin
Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee, awarding hundreds
of scholarships to qualifying students. Also, he founded the
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and was

Vice-President of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, was a member of Alabama Democratic
Conference, served on the advisory board of the Shoals Area
Coalition of At-Risk Minority Males Incorporated, and many
other service organizations where he received a plethora of
service awards and recognitions.

THE SCHOLAR : Not only was he a champion for justice
and political activism, but he was continuously in pursuit
of academic and biblical education. He earned his General
Education Diploma in 1969 and received a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Biblical Studies from Selma University while
working full-time. His quest for education was extended to
his grandchildren as he encouraged them with rewards when
they excelled.

THE SERVANT: Pastor Burgess was called into ministry where
he pastored two churches: Town Creek #1 in Landersville,
Alabama, for seven years; and Galilee Missionary Baptist
Church in Florence, Alabama, for 17 years. His passion for
spreading the Gospel went beyond the pulpit into a weekly
broadcast on WZZA Soul of the Shoals radio station, where
he served as host.

THE HUMANITARIAN : A humanitarian at heart, he
cultivated a large garden which enabled him to continuously
provide free vegetables to the local community. He assisted
countless underserved citizens with dire needs without
hesitation.

THE PATRIACH : In 1947, he met and married the love of
his life, Miss Delia Mae Little, and to this union five children
were born, which all are serving the Lord and are in ministry.
Big Daddy enjoyed traveling, camping and frying catfish for
the family, gardening, and Alabama football. When asked
what team he cheered for he simply smiled and said "Roll Tide
Roll."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie and Sylvia
Burgess; four brothers, Bonnie Burgess, Jr., John Burgess,
Andrew Burgess, and Lester Burgess; four sisters, Mattie
Hines, Lucille Goodloe, Ethel Dorrell, and Rogie Burgess;
one great-granddaughter, Khalilah Burgess; one grandson,
Quiandra Campbell; and one son-in-law, William Smith.

THE LEGACY: He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving
and devoted wife of 76 years, Delia Burgess; three sons,
Charlie Jr. (Vivian) Burgess, Thomas (Dorothy) Burgess and
Perry (Edna) Burgess; two daughters, Margaret Smith and
Jacqueline (Lloyd) Hampton; two brothers-in-law, Arthur
Little and Reverend Jessie Little; three sisters-in-law, Bessie
(John) Williams, Lillie (Charles) Davis, and Emma (Ronnie)
McGaha; thirteen grandchildren, Felicia Underwood, Angela
Durden, Tyrell Smith, Thomas Burgess, Jr., Derrick Burgess,
Torrey Hampton, Celeste Hampton, Shayla Mbangowah,
Christy Jackson, Jonathan Clark, Brandon Burgess, Amber
Burgess, and Cedric Softley; and a host of great- and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and
friends.

Transitory Service Rendered By:   Grace Memorial Funeral Home- Sheffield, Alabama