Dennis Ray Burgess passed peacefully from this life to his
heavenly home on October 31, 2020. Dennis was born in
Columbia, Tennessee on November 28, 1953 to DC Burgess and
wife, Martha Burgess. He was preceded in death by his father
DC, sister Brenda Sue Austin and sister-in-law Lucy Ann Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cindy of Savannah, TN:
son, Nicky Burgess and wife Liz of Alamo, TN; daughter, Haley
Surratt and husband Clay of Savannah, TN; mother, Martha
Burgess of Savannah, TN; brother, David Burgess and wife Ann
of Savannah, TN; brother-in-law, James Austin of Savannah, TN;
and sisters-in-law, Patricia Huntley and husband David of
Seymour, TN and Janet Burton and husband Randy of Newport,
TN. He is also survived by his six wonderful grandchildren,
Preston Surratt, Morgan Surratt, Rainey Burgess, Annie
Burgess, Haven Surratt and Alice Burgess, numerous nieces and
nephews, and his beloved dog, Abby.
Dennis moved from Columbia to Savannah in 1961 when his
parents opened Burt’s Furniture. He began working in the
store as a teenager and continued there after he attended
MTSU for a short time. If you couldn’t find him at Burt’s, he
was in the woods or at a rendezvous. He loved the outdoors
and spent many hours hunting and enjoying God’s creation. He
was a charter member of the Hatchie Run Longrifles since 1988,
where he served as President numerous times. He enjoyed
sharing his love of long rifles with demonstrations at various
schools. He was also a Hunter Education Instructor for over 44
years. Dennis was a member of the Savannah Lions Club, where
he had served two terms as President. He was a very active
member of the Savannah Masonic Lodge #102 F & AM for 18
years where he was a Master Mason and served as Worshipful
Master in 2016. Dennis also served as the Deputy District
Chairman for the 26th District of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee
F & AM. With his love for children, Dennis started the Masonic
Food Box Drive where, every December, members joined
together to distribute food boxes to elementary children
throughout the county.He was also a member of Gideon’s
International. Dennis enjoyed serving at Sharon Baptist Church,
where he was a member for over 30 years. He served on the
finance commission for many years and loved being a greeter.
Memorial donations can be made to the Savannah Masonic Lodge Food Box Fund at 220 Carpenter Lane, Savannah, TN, Gideon’s International, and Sharon Baptist Church.
