Rev Stephen T. Burgess

Rev. Stephen T. Burgess, 40, of Goshen, was found Saturday morning, February 2, 2008, at his home. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 28, 1968, to the late Ronald and Connie (Davis) Burgess.  He married Tonya Lambert on July 9, 2005 in Goshen.  She survives. Rev. Burgess moved to the area 15 months ago from Illinois.  He was currently unemployed but had worked part time at the Trolley Grill at the Farmers Market.  He had also worked as the Swine Farm Service Manager for Smith Farms in Garland, North Carolina. Rev. Burgess was licensed and ordained in the Pentecostal Ministers’ Association.  He was a graduate of Free Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pennsylvania, the Ozark Bible Institute and College in Nesho, Missouri and Berea College in Berea, Kentucky.  He served as a missionary in Sierra Leone, Africa, for two years, and pastured the Ammon Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Ammon, North Carolina.  Currently he taught Sunday School and served as worship leader at Trinity Holiness Tabernacle in Goshen.  He taught a Bible Study at the Church of Acts in Wakarusa. He is survived by his wife, Tonya; a daughter, Kaitlyn Burgess at home and was also expecting a son in April;  and two sisters, Rhonda (Troy) Jewell of Princeton, Kentucky, and Kimberly (Stacey) Brown of Fredonia, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends will be received 9 to 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7, at First Assembly of God Church, 1706 Westplains Drive, Goshen. A 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7, 2008, funeral service will be conducted at First Assembly of God Church, Goshen.   His father-in-law, Rev. Robert Lambert, will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.