Obituary

Our father, Cecil Wesley Burley, 96, entered his Heavenly home on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Born February 5, 1926, to Carl Wesley and Helen Leone Burley, who died while he was very young, he was raised by family friends, Richard T. and Carrie G. Tuck, who became our grandparents. He was married to Mamie Hicks until her death and later was married for 54 years to Lilo K. Burley, deceased 2013. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Gladiola Blackwood, Glenys Picha, and Pauline Moore, brother, Walter Burley, and son-in-law, Wayne Mottley. In 2015 his daughter Bridget Cecile Burley entered her eternal home in Heaven. Our father’s love for his family was exhibited over many years placing his energies and time in devotion to his parents, marriages, children, and grandchildren. He cared for our grandmothers in his home for the remainder of their years, for his wife, Lilo, three years of dementia, and for our sister Bridget, a beloved person with special needs. He served his church well and helped to establish homes for Cambodian refugees who look to him as Daddy and Granddaddy. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. To us his four surviving children, Linda D’Agostino (Vince), Darlene Emerson (George), Wesley Burley (Odette), and Jeffrey Burley (Sonya) he provided the example of dignity, compassion, strong faith, endurance, perseverance, and of course love. He was a father who listened to each of us with an attentive ear and a remarkable memory. He knew when to guide and when to respect our decisions. We will forever cherish the many hours we were afforded with him. Living and enjoying life at Springdale Lucy Corr, he maintained a decorum in both personal appearance and gentlemanly manner that gave him many caring friends among the residents and staff. Dad leaves a large family to carry his legacy, his four children and one stepdaughter, Jeannie Allen, grandchildren, Kevin Mottley (Tricia), Shannon Sissokho (Boa), Carrie Coyner, Amy Smith (Josh), Megan Carson (Luke), Kirsten Lightner (Ryan), Christopher Burley (Terry), and Allison Harrell (Parker). He has 16 great grandchildren, Andrew, Sarah Ann & Catherine Mottley, Bamba & Mamie Kay Sissokho, Hayden, Delaney & Mason Coyner, Caroline & Logan Carson, Ruby & Alice Smith, Jackson & Everly Lightner, and Connor & Easton Burley. Memorial gifts may be donated to Trinity United Methodist Church, 6600 Greenyard Rd, Chester, VA 23831. Online condolences at www.morrissett.com

A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 29, at 1:30 PM.