Judith Gail (Weaver) Burgess

Judith Burgess, 68, of Paragould, departed this life March 29, 2015, at the Belle Meade Nursing Home, Paragould, Arkansas. She was born January 19, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Aline Clark Weaver and Melvin Lee Weaver. Judith was a 1965 graduate of Greene County Tech High School and a 1969 graduate of Arkansas State University with a BSE degree in Social Studies. She was a licensed Social Worker (LSW) and an Arkansas Governmental Manager (AGM). Judith is a member of the Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church, Paragould, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Jim, of the home, two brothers, Dennis (Shelia) Weaver, Paragould, and David (Dee) Weaver of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by nieces Shery (Cody) West of Paragould, Sandi (Heath) Kight of Maumelle, Arkansas, and Rachel (Steve) Villanueva of Saugus, California. She is also survived by nephews Patrick Weaver of the Woodlands, Texas, John (Liz) Weaver of Dallas, Texas, and Captain Matthew Weaver, U. S. Army, stationed in Germany. Judith was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Weaver, and her brother, Alan Weaver. Judith was a career employee with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and retired after 30 years with the agency. She held many offices with the Arkansas State Employees Association (ASEA) and was elected the first female President of ASEA. She has been a member of Rotary International, Business and Professional Women, and was a graduate of the ASU Regional Leaders and Leadership Paragould. She has been a board member of the Greene County Fine Arts Council, Upstage Repertory Theatre, and the Eastern Arkansas Ballet. She appeared in local theatre productions for over 40 years. Judith received two gubernatorial appointments during her service with DHS, including an appointment to the White House Commission on Families and the Arkansas Commission of Child Support Enforcement. Judith truly had the heart of a servant both in chosen profession and in the work she did with children and teenagers through her involvement with the Fine Arts Council and Teens Are Concerned (TAC) and Teens of Northeast Arkansas (TONE). She has been a member of the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Auxiliary and eventually served as President. She also served on boards of Teens of Northeast Arkansas, Teens Are Concerned, and as Secretary of the Greene County Coalition. In perhaps one of her proudest moments, she was selected as Ms Senior Arkansas in 2008 at Alma, Arkansas, and performed in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was there that she rode in a convertible on the Boardwalk as part of the Queen’s Parade. She was also a member of the Cameo Club which is composed of Ms Senior Arkansas Pageant participants. She was a member and past President of the National Senior America Alumni Association, which is composed of participants of the National Senior America Pageant. Visitation will be Friday, April 3, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home, Paragould, Arkansas. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Heath Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jason Sutfin officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery, Paragould, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be John McCollum, Bob Wells, Gary Napier, Kenny Cline, Dennis Weaver, and David Weaver. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Phillips and V. C. Wheeler. Memorials to Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church or to the Greene County Fine Arts Council will be greatly appreciated.