Gloria Maxine Stancil Wood
Timothy “Tim” Levi Burgess
Timothy “Tim” Levi Burgess was born Nov. 13, 1952, and died April 13, 2011. He married Cynthia Lynn Moore on April 14, 1984 in Florida. He married Judy K. Troyar on Oct. 20, 1990.
| Tim's child with Cynthia Lynn Moore |
| Philip Levi Burgess |
Timothy “Tim” Levi Burgess, son of Willard and Maxine Stancil Burgess, was born Nov. 13, 1952, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He had an older brother, "Chuck" Charles W. Moore, II. Maxine was washing dishes when 4-year-old Timmy came in and announced, “Mama, I know where babies come from!" An embarrassed Maxine not ready for a “birds and bees” discussion quickly replied, "Timmy, go on and play." But Timmy stayed put and continued, "Buzzards bring them!"
Maxine had a history of allergy problems and the family decided to relocate to a more hospitable climate. They moved to Plantation, Florida, when Tim was 9-years-old. The family joined Plantation Baptist Church. Tim was interested in music and during high school he played saxophone in the Plantation High School marching band. A highlight was when the band went to the 6th Pan American Games in Cali, Columbia, South America. After high school Tim donated his saxophone to the band thus enabling a talented student with limited funds to join the band.
Tim took cooking classes in school and after he graduated from Plantation High School he was hired by Williamson Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Williamson was considered one of the finest in the area and could seat 3,500 guests. Tim's interest in cooking was life long. He collected and studied cookbooks and experimented in the kitchen. Tim shared his talents with others, often giving away homemade cookies and desserts.
After several years, Tim became a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Fort Lauderdale. Tim had natural rhythm and was a quick study when it came to learning new dance steps. His friendly personality and good looks was an asset. Tim joined the Sons of the American Legion while in Florida, and gave free dance lessons to veterans. His father was a naval pharmacist's mate, 2nd class during WWII.
Tim had the ability to make even a marginal dancer look great. Cousin Anne Stancil Langston recalls one visit when Tim took her and cousin Debra Sue Stancil Brooks dancing. Within minutes he had Anne, who had never clogged, clogging like a pro!
Tim met his first wife, Cynthia Lynn Moore, who was a student at the dance studio. They had a son, Philip Levi Burgess. The marriage did not last.
Tim moved to Chattanooga for several years before marrying Judy Troyar and moving to Cleveland, Ohio. Tim worked for the Cleveland Browns organization in concessions for several years. He became an enthusiastic Cleveland Brown and Cleveland Indian fan. Tim moved back to Chattanooga and worked as a salesman for a car dealership. He and Judy divorced.
Tim was an avid reader and loved mysteries, especially those of Stephen King. He also enjoyed relaxing to classical music and had an extension library of classical music.
Tim had a variety of jobs over the years from working in sales at men’s clothing stores and in grocery store management.
When Tim’s uncles; Jimmy, Paul, and Harold planned to visit his mother, Maxine, in Fort Lauderdale, Tim volunteered to drive them down. He found this trip was entertaining and gave him insight into family dynamics as he listened to them reminiscing, joking, and laughing.
Tim’s uncle, Jimmy Stancil, attended weekly dances at the East Ridge Community Center. Jimmy often invited Tim and the two of them were very popular partners with the ladies.
When Tim’s mother had serious health problems, Tim flew to Florida and helped look after her.
Tim was down on his luck and became homeless in 2005. He went to the homeless shelter for men sponsored by the Episcopal Church in Chattanooga. He so impressed the staff with his strong morals and work ethics that they hired him and gave him a permanent home. Tim assisted with the cooking and supervising the men. He brought a ray of sunshine into their lives.
Tim was diagnosed with serious digestive problems and was force to go on full-time disability. He refused to sit home and do nothing. He continued to work at the mission.
Tim adopted an orphan terrier mix named "Beau." They were constant companions.
In March 2011, Tim began rapidly losing weight. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Maxine immediately flew up to look after him. Tim and his doctors planned for him to have chemo therapy and radiation before having his stomach removed. Tim knew the odds were against him but he kept his positive attitude.
Tim did not sit around wasting time by saying, "Why me Lord?" Tim helped those less fortunate than himself as long as he could. When Uncle Harold Stancil died, on March 23, 2011, Tim was there to commemorate his life and reconnect with kinfolks.
Tim was blessed with a phenomenal memory of family history and important dates and was known affectionately as the "repository of family information."
Tim shared his culinary skills. Chuck and sons Tristan and Nick especially loved his peanut butter cookies, cornbread and sweet potato pie.
Tim died at 58 on April 13, 2011, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a fight with cancer.
Services were conducted by first cousin, The Rev. David Stancil, on in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. First cousins Anne Stancil Langston and Debra Stancil Brooks sang "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye."
Burial was in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5351 Tennessee Hwy.153, Hixson, TN 37343. Pallbearers were nephews Tristan C. Moore, Nicholas J. Moore; cousins Paul E. Stancil II, Mark Langston, Daniel Stancil and Russell Stancil.
Tim was preceded in death by his father Willard Levi Burgess; Aunt Billie Jean Stancil Rowles and husband William Thomas Rowles; Aunt Winifred Stopford Stancil, widow of Paul Edwin Stancil: Uncle James "Jimmy" Harding Stancil and wife Florine; Uncle Harold Stancil; cousins Fred Waverly Stancil, Gayle Lee Rowles McKane and Philip Anthony Stancil.
Tim had many trials and tribulations throughout his life. Chuck recalls that Tim rose above his problems and was content to live a quiet life out of the lime light. Chuck treasures Tim's Bible with its underlined passages. Chuck feels a connection each time he reads them.
Tim will be remembered for his strong faith in God, devotion to family, positive attitude, empathy and love he showed to the downtrodden throughout his life and his beautiful smile.
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