Patsy Bumgarner Burgess

Mrs. Patsy Lynne Bumgarner Burgess, 65, of State Road, North Carolina, passed away on January 13, 2026 at home after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, January 16 at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in State Road, NC. Burial will follow in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00pm - 2:00pm prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

Patsy was born December 12, 1960, in Wilkes County to Virgil Clayton and Elaine Staley Bumgarner. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Bumgarner.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Earl Burgess Jr., of the home; her children, Ross Burgess of Waynesville, NC, Laura Burgess Daly and husband Niland of Winston-Salem, NC, and Beau Burgess of Tryon, NC; her granddaughter, Merritt Lynne Daly of Winston-Salem, NC; her mother, Elaine Bumgarner of North Wilkesboro, NC; her brother, Dan Bumgarner and wife Lisa of Millers Creek, NC; father- and mother-in-law, Earl Sr. and Sylvia Burgess of North Wilkesboro, NC; her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Denise and Randall Millsaps of Union Grove, NC, and Belinda and Daniel Billings of Traphill, NC; and many special nieces and nephews.

Patsy graduated from West Wilkes High School in 1978 and attended Appalachian State University, where she earned degrees in Business Administration and Education in 1983. She began her 38-year career in education teaching Business Education at Elkin High School. “Mrs. Burgess” was known for her practical, common-sense lessons. She prepared students not just for tests but for life. Numerous former students have shared over the years the lasting impact she had on them, often noting that her classes were among the few whose lessons they still apply in their careers and daily lives. She was a Board Certified Educator and served as a mentor to many teachers throughout her tenure. Patsy was the recipient of the prestigious Long Leaf Pine Award, granted by the Office of the Governor of North Carolina to recognize individuals for exemplary service in their field. She retired in 2022 after an illustrious career.

Patsy was a devoted member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, where she served in numerous capacities, including Sunday School teacher, choir member, organist, children’s program coordinator, pastor search committee member, and scholarship coordinator, among many others. She was also an active member of her local Delta Kappa Gamma chapter, where she worked alongside fellow women educators to promote professional and personal growth and excellence in education. Patsy was known as a tremendous cook, leaving behind a handwritten recipe book of more than 100 pages that she lovingly passed down to each of her children. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors tending to her flowers and had a keen eye for beauty both outside and inside the home. Above all else, she treasured raising her three children the most. They were her life’s greatest work.

Patsy will be remembered for her deep love for her family and community, her unwavering faith, and her tenacious spirit. Her memory will be forever cherished by her family, friends, and colleagues. Her legacy as a mother, friend, and teacher will endure, and her spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her. She finished well.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Patsy’s doctors and medical teams at Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Center and Mountain Valley Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, Poplar Springs Baptist Church of State Road, NC or the Eva Hine Incentive Grant of Dobson, NC. Eva Hine Incentive Grant (C/O Betsy White, 225 Windsor Park Drive, Dobson NC 27017)