Edna Smith Burgess

Edna Smith Burgess “Nanny”, beloved matriarch of our family, passed away peacefully at home on November 1, 2025 at the age of 94. She lived a long and blessed life devoted to her family and those she loved.

Nanny was born May 7, 1931 to the late Ben Tillman Greer and Lena Hellener Wood. Nanny was the last of THIRTEEN siblings that predeceased her. She was also preceded in death by a son and daughter in law: Eddie and Rhonda Smith; a daughter: Betty Lee; two grandchildren: Shane and Kitty; one great grandchild: Christian Tracy; and one great-great grandchild, Connor McLaughlin.

Her love and guidance extended through five generations. Left to cherish Nanny’s memories are a son Van Smith and a daughter Dianne Mattox (Pastor David). She was also “Mama Edna’ to Mark Smith, Pam and Jill. She is Nanny to her surviving, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren; as well as Aunt Edna to her many precious nieces and nephews.

Nanny was a survivor with great strength, faith, and compassion. She fought the good fight, finished her course and kept her faith through it all. Nanny was always on the move. You would find her swinging on the front porch, picking pecans, working a puzzle or playing with her babies. She will be remembered for the many quilts she gifted. Her quilts were more than just blankets they were her expressions of love that will continue to comfort many generations to come.

The family will receive friends between 1:00 – 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Manna Baptist Church, 121 Flatwood Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A funeral service to celebrate Nanny’s life will start at 2:00 PM following the visitation. Rev. Frankie Taylor, Rev. David Mattox, and Rev. Danny Cannon will be officiating the service. Nanny will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Gardens on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The arrangements are entrusted into the care of Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.