Sylvester Earldon Junior Burgess departed this earth on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. He was the third youngest of six children born to Lee Andrew Burgess and Adlee Hawkins Burgess. Sylvester was raised in the east end of Newport News, VA and schooled in the Newport News school system.
He was a graduate of Huntington High School. Shortly, after graduating high school, Sylvester enlisted in the United States Air Force and was based out of Cannon AFB, New Mexico. It was there that he met his first wife, Juanita Bryant.
There were two sons born to this union – Terry and Shawn Burgess. Juanita also had a daughter, Marie, who was a welcomed addition as a stepdaughter. Eventually, Sylvester and Juanita divorced, and he subsequently discharged from the military at the rank of E6.
After his discharge from the military, Sylvester worked a variety of jobs in the food and service industry. Sylvester met his second wife, Violet Mayheim, while traveling to Phoenix, Arizona. There were no children born to this union, but Sylvester gained two step daughters – Tina and Tanya.
After Sylvester and Violet decided to divorce, Sylvester moved back to Hampton, VA. Sylvester lived with his brother, Andrew, for many years after his return from Arizona. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars – a skill he picked up in the Air Force working as an airplane mechanic.
He also enjoyed spending time with family. He was especially close to his brother, Andrew, and his sister, Shirley. They often visited each other and went out for meals together.
Sylvester’s favorite restaurant was Golden Corral. Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents Lee Andrew Burgess and Adlee Hawkins Burgess, as well as his brothers Linwood Burgess and Nelson Burgess and sister-in-law, Iris Burgess Jones. Sylvester leaves behind: his first and second wives, Juanita Bryant McClendon and Violet Mayheim their children, Terry Burgess, Shawn Burgess, stepdaughter, Marie Bryant; stepdaughters Tina and Tanya Mayheim; a sister, Shirley Burgess, and brothers Andrew Burgess and Levon Burgess (Anna Burgess); a nephew, Michael Burgess (Opal Burgess), and nieces, Adrienne Burgess Robinson (Darryl Robinson), Davita Burgess Tynes, Diedre Burgess, Natasha Burgess Lawson and Collette Burgess Forrest; great nephews, Michael Burgess, II, Leon Tynes, III, Quincy Tynes, Keyshawn Burgess, Cahlil Burgess; and great nieces, Kylia Burgess, Kamri Tynes, Daylah Forrest, and Lei’la-Rai Forrest.
It is the desire of the Burgess family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple, 3100 Butternut Drive, Hampton, VA 23666. Minister Harvey Cook officiant.
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