Funeral services for Mr. Lewis Travis Burgess, age 83 of Beckville, Texas, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Buddy Briggs officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Burgess passed away on Saturday morning, March 7, 2009 in Carthage.

Lewis Travis Burgess was born on January 6, 1926 in Panola County, Texas to Dave and Mellie Donald Burgess. Mr. Burgess attended Beckville Public Schools. He married Iva Nora Briggs on April 15, 1950. Mr. Burgess worked for Sam Wheeless Drilling Company and Texas & Pacific Railroad.
He retired from Trailmobile in Longview, Texas and later retired from Panola County Road & Bridge. Mr. Burgess was a avid fisherman, hunter, and horseman for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Burgess in 1988; brothers, Warren Burgess, James Burgess, and Billy Burgess; one sister, Vila Mae Cherry, and one step-son, Bob Stansbury.

Mr. Burgess is survived by grandchildren in which he raised, Mike Ford of Humble, Susan Stroud of Houston, Kathy Embrey of Humble, Randy Ford of Humble and Ricky Ford of Beaumont. Other surviving grandchildren are Tim Stansbury of Longview, Todd Stansbury of Gilmer, and Robert, Bill, and Matthew Stansbury. Also surviving, is one brother, L.D. Burgess of Beckville; one sister, Opal Walden of Beckville; brother and sister-in-law, Pinky and Dorothy Briggs of DeBerry; sister-in-law, Darline Harris of Marshall; a step daughter, Mary Helen Womack of Humble; and a step-son, Clovis Stansbury of Jefferson. Numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews also survive Mr. Burgess.

Serving as pallbearers are Charlie Walden, Jim Burgess, John Burgess, Neal Burgess, Galen Williams, and John (Buddy) Langford. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Pinkie Briggs, John Goolsby, and Bill Langley.

The family wishes to thank Mrs. Loretta Etheredge for her continued years of service and loving care as well as Barbara, Tammy, and Brooksie.

The family also wishes to thank Dr. Farhat along with nurses, caregivers, and the medical staff of East Texas Medical Center of Carthage for their help and dedication.

If desired, memorials may be made to Walnut Springs Cemetery Association, 1454 FM 1794 East, DeBerry, TX 75639.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.