Paul (Calvin) Sylvester Burgess Obituary (2020)

Paul (Calvin) Sylvester Burgess, age 89, Crossville, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, April 9, after a long battle with dementia. He would have been 90 on April 13. Calvin was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee to the late Frank Burgess and wife Marcia Burgess. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Burgess; and children (spouses): Sharon Watson (late-Sam), Stanley Watkins (Doris), Cecil Burgess, Penny (Tom) Van Wirt, and Casey (Melanie) Burgess. He also has 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren that he loved and adored. He is survived by one brother, Everett Burgess and 9 other late siblings as follows: Lena Davis, Geneva Roberts, Francis Rose, Lora Stevens, Zella Reynolds, Floyd Burgess, Junior Burgess, Roy Burgess, and Howard Burgess. At a young age, Calvin moved to Michigan where he worked for General Motors and later enlisted in the Army. He served our country for 11 years before he and his family moved back to Tennessee. Once back in Crossville, he started his own logging business and established himself in the paper wood business for the remainder of his career. Calvin enjoyed hunting and fishing, before his disease would no longer allow, and loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren any chance he got. Calvin will be buried in the Akins Cemetery in Crossville, Tennesee on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. A small family service will be held at the graveside with Crossville Memorial Funeral Home in charge and Stanley Campbell officiating. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family plans to have a memorial service after the pandemic restrictions have been lifted and risks to family and friends are reduced. We appreciate and sympathize with those that are hurting and have to grieve from afar. We will look forward to being together when an appropriate time can be arranged.