Judith Diane Burgess

AIKEN, SC - Judith Diane Burgess, 73, passed away peacefully at her home Friday, April 10, 2020. A private graveside service will be held this week with the Rev. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. A lifelong resident of Aiken, Judith was a daughter of the late Jessie Van Buren “Bill” and Fannie Rhea Johnson Burgess. She was a graduate of Columbia College and began her career at Fort Jackson Elementary, then Aiken Day School, and served most of her career as Special Education Coordinator for Aiken County Public Schools. She was a member of the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Judith was a long time, second generation Aiken Bridge Club member, most of whose mothers played together. She taught manners classes with Social Inc. for many years. Judith was a member of the Sunshine Garden Club and enjoyed being a member of The Hornettes. She served on the Board for Aiken Preparatory School. She was a member of Historic Aiken, and a tour guide with Aiken City Tours. She also served as a wedding director to many in the area. Judith loved her church, First Baptist, Aiken. She was a deacon with the church, a member of the Faith Explorers' Class and served as a leader in a variety of ways. Survivors include one sister, Susan (Ronnie) Wade, Aiken; nephew, Andrew (Ashley) Wade, Mt. Pleasant, SC and a niece, Katherine (Michael) Carli of Aiken. Two stepchildren, Scotty (Kim) Mills, Aiken, Christy (Ashley) Heaton, Aiken; four step-grandchildren, Sarah Grace Heaton, Jacob Heaton, Alex Mills, and Tanner Mills. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aiken’s First Baptist Church, PO Box 3157 Aiken, SC 29802. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801. Judith's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Diane Burgess, please visit our flower store.