Bobby Grill Burgess

Bobby Grill Burgess, 91, of Charlotte, died Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Carmel Hills Assisted Living Center in Charlotte. Bob was born in Mooresville, NC, on February 27, 1933, the son of Polie and Laura Burgess. He graduated from North Mecklenburg High School and went on to work for Duke Power, Jacks Cookies, and many other food service companies. He was very successful in the food industry. In 1988 he started his own food brokerage firm, Bob Burgess Sales, which later became Burgess and Lorey in 1991. They represented brands such as Stanislaus, Patrick Cudahy, Bar-S, Comet Rice, Dairymen and more. In 2006, Bob, his wife Lucy and their dear friend, Claudette, traveled to Kenya to visit their daughter who lived there as a missionary. It was the trip of a lifetime. He was beloved by many for his outgoing, fun-loving personality. He and his wife Lucy had the gift of hospitality and had many friends and family in their home for delicious meals. Bob was also a man of deep faith, who loved his Lord. He was also a devoted husband and father who adored his wife Lucy and daughter Robin. Bob loved his family, friends, neighbors and church family very well. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Matthews for 56 years. He served in several lay positions including deacon. He loved supporting missions and missionaries. Most of all, Bob loved people. He was blessed with a skill for networking and could connect people who needed a job, a church home, a friend, a car repair man and much more. Being the connector that he was, God used Bob’s gift as the initial connection to bring Bob’s beloved daughter Robin and her husband Bruce together. Bob was well-loved and will be both fondly remembered and sadly missed so much by his family and friends alike. He is survived by his daughter, Robin Burgess Elbertson, his son-in-law Bruce Elbertson of Charlotte, NC, and Bruce’s brother Lance Elbertson of Indian Land, who was loved as a son. Bob is further survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucy Carpenter Burgess and their infant son, Hal Burgess; sisters, Eugenia Burgess Mills and Geneva Burgess Reed; brothers, Kenneth Burgess and Jack Burgess. Bob’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. A service honoring and celebrating his life will be held at First Baptist Church of Matthews at 11 am on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Friends may call upon the family at the church from 9:30 until the time of service. Following the service, Bob will be taken in a formal procession to his final place of earthly rest next to his wife, Lucy, at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials may be made in memory of Bob Burgess to Carmel Hills Residence Fund, 2801 Carmel Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226 or First Baptist Matthews Missions Fund, 185 S. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105.

Bobby Grill Burgess

February 27, 1933 - April 5, 2024