Jewell Deere Burgess of Portageville, Missouri died Friday, September 20, 2019 at Missouri Delta Hospital in Sikeston at the age of 105. She was born April 18, 1914 in Lexington, Tennessee, to Sylvester and Daisy (Todd) Deere. On February 11, 1939, she married Talmadge Burgess, who preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory many loving family members. Nieces and nephews include Mary Kay Davis, Dennis (JoAnn) Deere, Steve Deere, Sheilah Deere, Larry (Karen) Buck, Helen (Bill) Deere-Powell, Margaret Jewel Deere, and William Deere. Great nieces and nephews include Jana (Andy) Lamanna , Jaime (Will) Motter, Travis (Taylor) Deere, Jason (Katherine) Deere, Dr. Bradley (Lekha) Deere, Justin (Carson) Deere, Jessica Deere, Evan Deere, Andrew (Stephanie) Deere, Deanna Deere, Kevin (Kayla) Buck, Craig (Lily) Buck, Mary Helen (Andrew) Shaver, and Katie McGarvey. Great grand nieces and nephews include John Corbett and Maren Lamanna, Davis and Mary Ellis Motter, Sam, Tom, and Henry Deere, Whit and Lottie Deere, Mira Deere, Drew and Jewelya Deere, Evelyn Buck, and Isabella and Evie Shaver.

Preceding her in death were her parents Sylvester and Daisy Deere, sister Irene Buck, brothers William Roy Deere, Louis Deere, and Edward Deere, nieces Janet Deere and Myra Deere, and nephews Johnny Davis and Dr. James Deere.

As a long time educator, Jewell touched many lives. She received a teaching certificate from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and a BS in Education degree in 1952 from Arkansas State College. After moving to the bootheel of Missouri she taught in a two-room school at Barnes Ridge and in the Hayward School District. But the majority of her classroom time was with second graders at Portageville Elementary. She retired from teaching after 41 years. In addition to being an educator, Jewell and her husband owned and operated a cotton farming business along with the Burgess Grocery at Hayward. She also served on the board of directors for Portageville Farmers Gin and Union Farmers Gin.

Jewell was very active in the local Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She was instrumental in the building of the UMC Burgess Hall addition. She was also a member of the local chapters of Eastern Star and Delta Kappa Gamma, and was a Girl Scout leader.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 27, at Portageville United Methodist Church, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Rev. Barron Willer will officiate. For those who wish to give a memorial, the family suggests contributions be made to the Portageville United Methodist Church