Emma Jean Johnson "E.J." Burgess

Emma Jean Johnson “E.J.” Burgess, 70, of Valdosta, died suddenly at her home on Monday, November 11, 2019. She was born on March 30, 1949 to the late David Clarence Johnson and Nancy Rachel Walker Johnson. Emma Jean known to most as E.J. and to her precious grandchildren as Nana was a very compassionate person. She loved the less fortunate and the well to do folks with the same heart. She loved with deep respect for those in her daily life. Anyone who met her knew that her grandchildren and their spouses and especially her great grandchildren were the absolute joy of her life. She loved talking to them and relished hearing every detail of their daily lives.
E.J. worked her entire life right up until the end…70 years old and still caring for others. She started her career as a hairdresser but found her true calling many years ago giving pedicures. Her clients became dear friends and she loved them like family. Her pedicures were her “ministry” and were the manifestation of her strong faith in her Lord. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends and our world will be a little dimmer without her love and light in it.
E.J. is survived by her husband Mike Burgess, of Valdosta, her daughter and son in law Becky and Michael Massey, of Tifton, her daughter and son in law Amy Waldrop and Cass Burch, of Valdosta, her sister Frances Watson, of Valdosta, her brother and sister in law Tommy and Suzanne Johnson, of Tifton, her grandchildren, Zach Weeks (Haylei), Randi Lynn (Zane) Moorman, Joe Potash, Emily Potash, and Sara Beth Massey, her great grandchildren Natalie Bunte, Elijah Bunte, Tallulah Moorman, and Ainslee Nova Weeks, and several nieces. She adopted all those she met into her family. She was preceded in death by her brother Mike Johnson.
A memorial service for E.J. will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2019 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Rev. Don Williams officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.