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Norman “Rusty” Preston Burgess

Norman “Rusty” Preston Burgess passed away at home on Wednesday evening April 1, 2026.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Bluff Springs Baptist Church with Brother Jerry Nelson & Brother James Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m., prior to the service. Bluff Springs Baptist Church is where he and his wife have been members for many years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bluff Springs Baptist Church, or your charity of choice.

Rusty was born June 1, 1939, to the late Norman Ray & Flora (Smith) Burgess, and was raised in Ashford. His favorite hobby was fishing, and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. During his early career, he was a truck driver for GFA Motor Lines, Summerford Truck Line, and Watkins Motor Lines. Rusty proudly served as the former mayor of the city of Ashford. He was an integral part of the operations of Burgess Transportation for many years.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Flora Burgess; a daughter, Rhonda Gail Burgess; a grandson, Jeremy Frank Danner; two sisters, Peggy Layton (GW) and Johnelle Rhodes (Jimmy); and a brother, Jimmy Ray Burgess.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Thelma; a son, Rodney (Kim); a daughter, Lori (Jeff) Danner; a granddaughter, Haley (Howard) Walker; two great-grandsons, Grayson and Henry Walker; his sister-in-law, Lynn Burgess; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Benji Burgess, Jeff Burgess, Mason Glover, Brooks Glover, Theron Hood, and Cliff Godwin.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his Bluff Springs Baptist Church Sunday School Class.