Beverly Sharp Burgess

Beverly Ann Sharp Burgess

Written in first person by her daughter, Dr. Margaret Burgess Wright

Some may believe fairy godmothers don’t exist. But I’m here to tell you that they do — because I had one.

My mom, Beverly Ann Sharp Burgess, was a fairy godmother in the truest sense, sprinkling magic, compassion, and beauty throughout her life.

She passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025, at Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge, surrounded by love.

Mommy was born in Hammond, Louisiana, on December 14, 1945, one of six children, already known for the sparkle in her steel-blue eyes and the radiant spirit that followed her throughout her life. She graduated from Southeastern High School in Hammond and attended both the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, where her connection with the institution continued throughout her lifetime. Our family partnered with Southeastern to preserve important historical documents and photographs in the Burgess-Sharp Collection. Mom also helped establish endowed scholarships in memory of loved ones honoring their passions and contributions to the university to enrich the lives of future students.

She met my father, the late Honorable John Robert Burgess, and they married in 1967. I came along in 1973, and my brother, John Robert “Beau” Burgess Jr., followed in 1975. Mom and Dad shared 54 years of marriage until his passing in 2021.

Mom was never a typical homemaker — and thank goodness for that! She and my dad were the last private owners of the historic Carter House in Springfield, a Greek revival/federal-style raised home built in 1804 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Under Mommy’s meticulous, stylish, and imaginative care, Carter House became a place where history and hospitality intertwined. She created an atmosphere that reflected both the home’s storied past and my parents’ wonderfully eccentric Southern charm.

Carter House hosted everything from American Revolution Bicentennial celebrations to Special Olympics fundraisers, as well as many benefits supporting an organization very dear to my parents, the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation. Though Beau and I were often banished upstairs during these grand events, we always managed to sneak a glimpse of our parents entertaining guests below — Daddy charming, Mom glowing — as music played and the house shimmered in a golden light.

Mommy poured herself into every detail of life. She prepared Carter House for countless weddings and receptions, including my own marriage to Brad William Wright in February 2012. But gatherings didn’t need to be large or formal for her to find joy. Some of her happiest moments were spent stitching with friends, surrounded by threads, canvases, fabric, embellishments and creativity.

A lifelong lover of needlework and quilting, Mom was a devoted member and past president of the Hammond Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, eventually earning Lifetime Membership. She proudly represented her chapter at the national level and was even honored in Washington, D.C., for contributing handcrafted needlepoint ornaments to decorate the White House Christmas Trees — a moment of immense pride for all of us.

Mommy also served as a past director of the Historic Carter House Society, helping preserve the home she loved so dearly.

She embraced every holiday with theatrical delight, none more than Mardi Gras. Each year, she transformed our home with authentic Carnival decorations, many gathered during her and Daddy’s long association with the Caliphs of Cairo Carnival Organization. Halloween was another of her masterpieces — costumes, mischief, and spooky joy that she continued even just weeks ago, hosting one final gathering for family and friends at her home in Carter Plantation on the original 18th hole.

In 2004, Mom and Dad received the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation Symbol of Humanity Award, honoring their generosity and their unwavering support of compassionate hospice care in our community. Mommy also volunteered with North Oaks Hospice. For many years, she served as the devoted driver for her dear friend, the late Sr. June Engelbrecht, who was North Oaks Hospice’s long-time bereavement coordinator, accompanying her on visits to patients. Mommy’s compassion extended far beyond her own circles, as she truly went where she was needed.

Mom is survived by me — her adoring daughter — and by my cherished husband, Brad William Wright, and our son, her “mon petit,” Harrison Stafford Wright, all of Roswell, Georgia. She is also survived by my aunts, Maude Saunders Sharp of Hammond and Melanie Louise Sharp Lanaux (Gaston) of Husser; my uncle Michael Raymond Sharp (Judy) of Springfield; and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a lifetime’s worth of treasured friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wiley Howard Sharp Sr. and Melanie Ledet Sharp; her brothers Wiley Howard Sharp Jr., Thomas Simpson Sharp, and Paul Francis Sharp Sr.; her beloved husband, Judge John Robert Burgess Sr.; and her precious son, John Robert “Beau” Burgess Jr.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. The funeral service will be led by the Rev. L. Stephen Holzhalb III, D. Min., from Christwood in Covington at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Hammond on Saturday, November 29, at 11 am, with interment in the church cemetery to follow. Friends are warmly invited to join our family for a reception immediately following in the Parish Hall, graciously hosted by St. Margaret’s Guild of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church.

Grace Memorial has been part of our family’s life for generations. Mom’s artistry lives on there in the needlepoint kneelers she helped design and create, along with other handcrafted works that enrich the sanctuary.

In recent years, Mommy was especially blessed by the spiritual guidance and tender care of her niece, Rev. Katherine “Kit” Sharp McLean, priest-in-charge of All Saints Episcopal Church in Ponchatoula. Kit’s loving presence and pastoral wisdom were a deep comfort to Mom, strengthening her faith and surrounding her with grace when she needed it most.

I will have the honor of serving as my mom’s pallbearer. Honorary pallbearers will include her “mon petit” Harrison Stafford Wright, her beloved son-in-law Brad William Wright, and her nieces Kristin Sharp Anderson, Michelle Lanaux McMorris and Melanie Lanaux Zaffuto.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Historic Carter House Society, 30325 Carter Cemetery Road, Springfield, LA 70462

(www.historiccarterhouse.org), or Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 1109 South Chestnut Street, Hammond, LA 70403 (www.richardmurphyhospice.com).

Throughout her beautiful and spirited life, my mom was the very definition of a fairy godmother — a woman whose kindness, creativity, humor, playful mischief and radiant warmth touched everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

And though her earthly chapter has closed, the magic she gave this world will shimmer on.