Talmadge Rudd "Pete" Burgess

Talmadge R “Pete” Burgess, Sr, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and farmer passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025 at the age of 92 at his home in Croasdaile Village in Durham. Born on November 13, 1932, Pete was the son of Cullom and Myrtle Pernell Burgess. Growing up in rural Vance County, in the Aycock Community, Pete learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and a deep respect for the land. He attended NC State University and studied agricultural engineering on an ROTC scholarship. After graduation, he served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany. He worked as a safety engineer for the Liberty Mutual Insurance industry for 10 years, with various locations in NC, SC, and Louisiana. In 1968 he returned back to Vance County with his wife and children to operate a farm, raising tobacco, grain, hay, and sweet corn, among other crops. He was well known for his knowledge of planting, harvesting, curing tobacco and growing quality crops. He took pride in his farming, always striving to nurture and enhance the land he farmed. Pete was a respected member of the Epsom Community, willing to lend a hand to his neighbors and share his expertise with other farmers. An active community volunteer, Pete served as a board member and president to the Vance County Farm Bureau organization from 1978-1996. He also was a member of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Farm Bureau State Executive Board, and the NC Farm Bureau Scholarship Committee. Pete had a long history of service to his community and to Vance County. He received the Vance County Community Hero award in 2012. He was a past president and board member of the Epsom Lions Club; past board member of the Epsom Volunteer Fire Department; worked with the Perry Memorial Library Building Committee to secure funding for the Farm Bureau Community meeting room; past board member of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce; and past member of the Vance County Planning Board. Pete was a founding member of the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market, and was acknowledged for his visionary leadership in leading the charge for funding and organizing the building of the current Farmer’s Market facility. Pete was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Henderson. He served as a president of the Fellowship Sunday School class and volunteered with the Methodist Men’s group. Pete is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sylvia Smith Burgess; son Daryl and wife Darline; daughter Susan Hughes and husband Lyn; daughter-in-law Michele Burgess; grandsons Justin Burgess and wife Mehegan, Bryan Hughes and wife Kaylee, and Nolan Hughes and special friend Allison Wise; great granddaughters Virginia Parks Burgess and Lawson Burgess; and sister Lorraine Watkins and husband Eugene. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Juanita Burgess Robinson, and his son Talmadge Burgess, Jr. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday afternoon, June 3, receiving from 2-5 pm at the home of Michele Burgess, 6876 NC Highway 39 South, Henderson. A graveside burial service will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00 pm at Liberty Christian Church, 7818 NC Highway 39-South, Henderson NC. Followed by a service of celebration at 3:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 114 Church Street in downtown Henderson with Rev. George Loveland and Rev. Laurie Hays Coffman officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation - TR Burgess Sr Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 917, Henderson, NC 27536. Or to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in memory of TR Burgess, Sr., 114 Church Street, Henderson, NC. 27536.