Lavita Lou Burgess of Weinert,passedawaypeacefully on Feb. 8, 2025, at the age of 93.
Lavita was born July 19, 1931, to Burr William and Exsa Groves Massingill. Growing up in the small farming community of Gilliland, she was the youngest of five children and the only daughter among four older brothers. After graduating from high school, she married DwightEphramBurgess July 26, 1949. Together they built a life rooted in dedication and hard work, starting with a small farm that grew over the years. Along the way,theylovinglyraisedtwo daughters.
Lavita was a devoted wife, mother, and partner in the family farm. She ran the household and assisted with the business side of the farm. She knew how to drive the tractor and plowed thefieldswhenherhusband needed help.
Known as “Sissy”, she loved to wear high heels andfollowedfashiontrends. She was a talented seamstress and an excellent baker. Her hobbies included crochet and needlepoint. She enjoyed square dancing, spending time at the lake,andvolunteeringatthe schoolandchurch.Onceher daughters were older, she earned a beauty certification and worked as a hairdresser for several years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dwight, older brothers Milton Lee, Joseph Eber, Beryl William, Billie Charles, and grandson Chad Wayne Zeissel.
Lavita is survived by daughters Larita Kay and husband Randy White of Colleyville,Barbaraandhusband Wayne Zeissel of Munday; cherished grandchildren MistiZeisselofMunday, Mindy and husband Clay Hopewell of Fort Worth, Miranda and husband Tim Abernathy of Rockwood, Brian White of Austin, Tracy and husbandAndyHowrenofSt. Louis; her legacy continues with great grandchildren Caroline White of San Louis Obispo, CA, Mirabelle Howren of St. Louis, Jonathan W. Boatright of Fort Worth.
A service was held at First Baptist Church of Weinert on Feb. 12. Donations can be made to First Baptist Church ofWeinert,P.O.Box98,Weinert, TX 76388, and Gilliland Cemetery Association, c/o LouisLeeBaty,12485St.,Hwy 6 S., Knox City, TX 79529.