Mary Louise Burgess

May 3, 1939 - July 13, 2020

On Monday, July 13, 2020, the angels came to pick a beautiful flower out of His garden named Mary Louise “Mary Jo” Burgess. Born May 3, 1939 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to John Marberry and Elizabeth Jackson. Mary was a 1959 graduate of the Historic Langston High School, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She worked for many years at the Arlington Hotel & Spa (bathhouse clerk), Craighead Cleaners, The Vapors (cocktail waitress) and finishing her career at the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Agency until she retired in 1995. After retirement she would sometimes work part-time seasonal at TJMaxx as the fitting room attendant. A good meal, an appealing surrounding was what you got when you attended a family or friend party that Mary Jo decorated or prepared the delicacies for. She was the "Hostess with the Mostess." You left full of food, a good meal, happy you got invited to experience an evening of Fun, Laughter, and Entertainment. Being a Good Hostess was not her only attribute, being a Mother, Granny (not only her grandchildren but others children who needed a Granny), Friend, but being a Servant was her greatest attribute. Her faith stood strong and fierce when life dealt her circumstances that family, friends, or doctors could not fix. It was her Faith, her undeniably belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that she relied on to see her through her losses, a battle with Cancer (a Survivor), her hope and prayers for her children, grandchildren, loved ones and friends. Her expressions of Faith could be found in her Journal writings. She had always been one to Journal her daily thoughts (long before Journaling was popular), she used a spiral notebook to write down her life’s ups and downs, conquests, disappointments, heartaches, and triumphs. She encouraged others to Journal as well by giving them Journals to write down their own life’s journey. Mary Jo also loved to crochet blankets, baby items, hats, and any other item that showed off her craftsmanship. Many have received these beautiful articles that were made with Love. She could also sew. Green Thumb, which was another attribute she exemplified. She could grow anything. She would take a seedling, break off a piece of plant from a neighbor or whomever and plant it and before long there would be this beautiful plant that she nurtured and watched over. Many of her plants she has had for years. She was a quiet but fierce, strong force for her children and family to rely on. If you did not want to know what she thought about a situation that you might have been wrong about, then it was in your best interest that you did not ask her. Why? Because she was going to tell you the truth under no uncertain terms and then you might hear her say, "I'll cut you long, deep and wide!" You knew what that meant. No greater friend could any of us have had than Mary Jo. Whenever we needed her, she was always there. She lived a life of generosity because her heart delighted in the Lord and His people. She is preceded in death by her aforementioned parents; two grandsons, Rafael D. Evans and Tyrone McAfee (Foote); three brothers, Edgar Lee Atwater Sr., Milton Atwater Jr., and Joe Langford; Cousin, Aaron “Sonny Boy” Blackwell; Cousin/Sister, Claudine “Moran” Mason, and Cousin Lorraine Scales. Those who will forever keep her memory etched in their hearts include: Two daughters, Anita L. Evans-Davis (Ozark, AR), and Loletia (Opy) Lainhart (Hot Springs, AR.); Three sons, Lee Wesley Foote (Hot Springs, AR.), Wendell (Kristy) Foote (Hot Springs, AR), and Bryian “Bougie” Foote (Pine Bluff, AR); Father of her children and Best friend, Levell Foote Sr. (Hot Springs, AR.); nineteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; a Bonus Love Daughter, Lisa Regina (Willie) Wade Jr. & Family; Bonus children, Irene Foote, Levell (Sonya) Foote Jr., Gwen Walker, and Chance Gober.; Dear nephew, Edgar Lee (Nancy) Atwater Jr.; Very Special Sister, Johnnie Jean Booker; Close Friend, Betty Giles; Dear cousin, MRuth Goshen; Cousin/Sister, Cecilia Johnson; Close family friend, George Pritchett; a host of other extra children, extra grandchildren, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, July 20th at Hot Springs Funeral Home.