Sedley - Earl Wesley Burgess, 91, passed away January 3, 2026 with his family by his side.

Earl was a lifelong resident of Southampton County and one of 13 children of the late Gholie and Lizzie Newsome Burgess and was a 1951 graduate of Courtland High School.  He was a devoted member and former trustee of Sedley Baptist Church.

A determined man with a strong work ethic, Earl founded Burgess Trucking over 74 years ago and for the last 45 years operated a second terminal in Stuart, along with the original terminal in Sedley.  He successfully operated this business until the day he passed away.  His passion for trucking was incredibly strong and he enjoyed driving his truck and hauling loads right up through October 2025, at the age of 91.  He especially enjoyed the peanut hauling and was extremely proud of the fact that he was the oldest man in Virginia with an active commercial driver's license.

A loving, gentle, kindhearted husband, father, and grandfather, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 72 years, Cecilia Wellons Burgess; his children, Wesley Wellons Burgess, Cecil Earl Burgess (Tammy), Jennifer Burgess Gray (Howard), and Amy Burgess Carr; eight grandchildren, David Burgess, Steve Burgess, Jamie Shelton (Ben), Betsy Burgess, Erin McClelland (Marlin), Sarah Bunch (Jeremy), Rebecca Carr, and Mattie Carr; nine great grandchildren; three sisters, Swann Brooke, Ann Davis (Wayne), and Carolyn Arnsberger (Jerry); one brother, Wayne Burgess; and two sisters-in-law, Ann Jackson and Shirley Burgess.

Earl was predeceased by a son, David Baker Burgess; a son-in-law, Mark Capps; six brothers, Roger, Bill, Lloyd "Happy", Raymond, McCoy, and Emerson Burgess; and two sisters, Sally Francis and Helen Burgess.

His children remember his kindness and forgiveness and his patient, peaceful, and comforting demeanor.  He was the perfect example of what a faithful husband and loving father should be.

A Funeral will be held at 2PM Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Wright Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Foreman officiating.  The burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and suggests memorial donations be made to Rosemont Cemetery Association, c/o Mildred Branche, 32306 Vicksville Rd., Franklin, VA 23851.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org