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Obituary for Joyce Burgess-Lee

Joyce Burgess-Lee, born Joyce Theresa Christmas on March 13,1933 peacefully gained her wings late Christmas Night, December 25, 2025. Born and raised in Leonia, New Jersey, Joyce was the fourth of eight children born to Caroline and John Christmas.

Joyce spent her early years in New Jersey where she graduated from Leonia High School. She continued her education at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), in Princess Anne, MD; where she earned a Bachelor of Arts, in May of 1955. While at UMES Joyce contributed to many organizations serving as: president of the Clefters Club; captain of the Pep team; secretary of the Pan Hellenic Council, treasurer and president of the campus chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated as well as a soloist in the College Choir. Joyce was also a sweetheart of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and a sweetheart of the Flights E and D of the U.S. Air Force ROTC unit at Maryland State.

Joyce’s time at UMES produced wonderful memories and relationships, including Arthur B. Burgess, whom she married in 1955. Joyce and Arthur had six children whom they moved from the Brandywine Homes neighborhood in Coatesville, PA to the Johnsontown neighborhood in Downingtown, PA. The Downingtown home is a gathering place, loved by all and is where Joyce continued living until her passing.

Not just a devoted mother, Joyce also had a strong work ethic displayed during her career as a teacher which started in 1967. Joyce contributed to students in the Coatesville Area School District where she taught at Caln Elementary, Terry Elementary, Craig Ridgeway Elementary and Rainbow Elementary Schools. She poured life, love and inspiration into many children in Coatesville until she retired in 1993.

Joyce raised her children at Second Baptist Church in Coatesville under the Christian tutelage of Rev. Dr. Jacob L. Chatman and his devoted wife Etty Chatman. Many lasting bonds were formed while at Second including the Friendship Bowling League and “The Pals” which included Rev. and Etty Chatman, Ted and Evelyn Jackson, Joan Perry and others who joined later as the group expanded. Joyce continued her service to others throughout her life and in 2000 participated in a Mission Trip to Zimbabwe, Africa with the Downingtown United Methodist Church where they provided support to children in that country.

Joyce was affectionately known as “Squeaky” to her siblings and to her nieces and nephews.

In June 1983, Joyce started a new chapter when she married Robert A. Lee. Joyce and Robert remained married until his passing in 2011. They both loved to bowl and they spent time traveling to bowling alleys in Chester County and went as far as Las Vegas, NV.

Joyce loved supporting her grand and great-grandchildren at many of their extra curriculum activities and events; she also maintained an active lifestyle including her love of bowling, an activity she continued until she was over 90 years old. Joyce participated in joyful praise and worship as a member of the First Baptist Church of Passtown’s Senior Choir, an activity she shared with her daughter, Donna. At 91 Joyce attended the Active Day Adult Day Care in Exton, PA where they took great care of her, which allowed her to have afternoons of fun, laughter and socialization.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, John and Caroline Christmas; husbands Robert A. Lee and Arthur B. Burgess, Sr.; siblings Vincent Christmas, John Christmas, Martina Christmas, and Gerald Christmas as well as her daughter in law, Valia Burgess (Scott).

Left to continue her legacy of love are her children: Donna M. Burgess of Downingtown, PA; Arthur B. Burgess, Jr. (Jimell) of Lancaster, PA; Andrea C. Burgess of Downingtown, PA; Denise H. James (Henry) of Coatesville, PA; Scott D. Burgess of Essex, MD; Joy L. Burgess of Wimauma, FL; Jewel Burgess Anderson (Aaron) of Coatesville, PA; and Renee Brown of North Carolina. Her siblings, Gwendolyn Ash of Leonia, NJ; Arnold Christmas (Frannie) of Surfside, FL; and Cleveland Christmas (Betty) of Keyser, WV. 16 Grand Children; Casandra, Kevin, Nelson, Jamoca, Sherron, Bruce, Wayde, Arthur III, Ebony, Angela, Bianca, Phillip, Jordan, William, Jhla and Aniya. 36 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM from the First Baptist Church of Passtown, 117 Barber Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320, with a family visitation hour beginning at 2:00 PM.

The Memorial Service will be Livestreamed on the Facebook Page of the Emmett Golden Hunt Memorial Chapel beginning at 3:00 PM.

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