Aletha Burge

Aletha Burge, age 73, of Gulfport, MS passed away on January 2, 2023 surrounded by her family.  The oldest of 6 children, she cherished her relationship with her siblings.  She was a native of Mississippi, yet due to living in a military family, she lived many places, domestic and abroad, with her 3 children being born in Germany.

Her career led her to serve as a passionate advocate for the underserved from first working in a teenage pregnancy home to her final career at United Way of South Ms.  She also served on several boards for local nonprofits.

In her free time, she loved singing in her church choir or sweet harmonies with her sisters and especially playing with her beloved dog Tip.  Despite her cancer diagnosis, she was dedicated to wellness of body, mind, and spirit, and practiced yoga and tai chi as well as other spiritual disciplines.  She was a woman of deep faith, and a broad, generous spirituality.  One of her greatest joys was being Nana to her 6 grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her parents, Samuel Thames Lloyd, Jr and Marie Anne Lloyd, her granddaughter Sadie Campbell, and her brother, Samuel Thames Lloyd, III.

She is survived by her children Matthew Burke (Nancy) of Dallas, Tx; Katy Campbell (Chris) and grandson Jesse of Nashville, TN; Lyerly Christenson (Kenny) and grandchildren Claire and Marleigh of Hattiesburg; her husband, Curt Burge; stepson Curtis (Buffy) and grandsons West, Kai, Quinn of Ashville, NC; her sisters, Lucy Lloyd of Gulfport, MS; Ruth Bishop (Wade) of Gulfport, MS; Susan Lloyd Stokes of Clemson, SC; and her brother, Lewis Lloyd (Liz) of Mountain View, AR.

She was a light-bringer and a world-shifter.  She will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love and advocacy will live on with those whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to United Way of South MS. or St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, MS.