Willie Burgess Cordell

Willie Cordell, 84, of Tavares, Florida, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones, on Monday, December 11, 2023. A wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and nurse, she will be remembered and admired as a fearless and passionate lover of life and those in it. As a nephew once put it, “Aunt Willie and boring never have gotten along well.” She was the same person shelling peas on the front porch as she was meeting with the Governor to seek help for local schools. Born on July 29, 1939, in Morven, Georgia, she and her four brothers and sisters were raised by her late mother, Mary Jane Browning Burgess in nearby Barney. In addition to her mother, she is preceded in death by a sister, Nell Gay, and a brother, Wendell Burgess. She is survived by her loving husband, Bill Cordell and her daughter, Tami Berube of Tavares, Florida; her sons: Cam Parker (Sarah) of Cartersville, Georgia, and Kevin Parker (Angie) of Brooklet, Georgia; grandchildren: Josh Parker (Casey) of China Spring, Texas, Ben Parker and Louie Parker of Belton, Texas, Sydney Parker of Macon, Georgia, and Katelyn Adams (Zac) of Birmingham, Alabama; great grandson Noah Parker of China Spring, Texas; a sister, Elverta Gay of Barney, Georgia; and a brother, Franklin Burgess of Statenville, Georgia.

A memorial service, officiated by Reverend Steven Haineault, will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Friendship Baptist Church, 13540 GA Highway 122 in Barney, Georgia, followed by burial at Campground Cemetery in Morven, Georgia. Messages of sympathy can be left for the family by visiting www.musicfuneralservices.com . The family is being served by the caring and professional staff of Music Funeral Services, 3831 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602.