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Martha Burgess

Together again

EAST LIVERPOOL — Martha Jean Burgess, 85, formerly of Fredericktown, passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 at St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center following a lengthy illness.

Born in East Liverpool, Jan. 2, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Jay P. and Laura Mae Thomas Smith. A member of the East Liverpool High School Class of 1951, she later attended the Ohio Valley Business College. For many years she was an active member of the Fredericktown Christian Church where she served as a Deaconess, Sunday school teacher, financial secretary, treasurer and clerk. She was also active in the church’s Christian Women’s Fellowship.

She was a member of the Hill and Dell Club and worked at the Vodrey Law Office and later was associated with the Common Pleas Court Bureau of Support which later became Jobs and Family Services.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward “Chuck” Burgess. The couple married June 1, 1955. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Jay Richard Smith.

Surviving are three children: Judith Lawton and her husband, Joseph, of Columbiana, Laura Murdock of Florida, and Charlie T. Burgess and his wife, Carrie, of East Liverpool.

Also left to cherish her memory are six grandsons: Jason Lawton and his wife, Heather, Jacob Lawton and his wife, Carrie, Joshua Murdock and his wife, Shannon, Andrew Murdock, Thomas Burgess and Alex Burgess, as well as five great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A sister survives, Dorothy White of East Liverpool, and a brother, Edward Wayne Smith and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Salem, Ohio.

Friends may visit Friday evening at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Rev. Norman Eckert will conduct a funeral service Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Columbiana County Memorial Park.

Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for fellowship.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center, Crossroads and All Caring Hospice for their compassionate care.

Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in care of your local Boy Scout Troop.

View Martha’s memorial webpage and express condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.

12/4/19