Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthApr 6, 1923, Guilford County, North Carolina [35921]
DeathFeb 12, 2021, Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina [35921]
BurialGuilford Memorial Park, 6000 High Point Rd, Greensboro, North Carolina [35921]
FatherJames Henry OLIVER Sr. (1889-1962)
MotherElla Etta Blanche CLAPP (1898-1993)
Spouses
MarriageDec 25, 1941 [35921]
Obituary Online notes for Ada Emeline OLIVER
Greensboro - Ada Emeline Oliver Burge died on February 11, 2021 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was 97 years old and had been in declining health for several months.
Ada was born in Guilford County, NC in 1923 to James Henry and Etta Blanche Clapp Oliver, the third of eight children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, K. Lester (Les) Burge; grandson, Robert Burge; two brothers and five sisters. She is survived by her two sons: Randy (wife Susan) and Rick (wife Kitty); three grandchildren: Matthew Burge (wife Katy); Emily Cantrell (partner Debbie); David Burge (wife Jennifer); six great-grandchildren: Harrison and Thomas Burge; Claire and Brady Cantrell; Carter and Brooks Burge; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ada was a graduate of Sumner High School, where she was senior class president, and attended High Point College (now University) before marrying Les Burge, a professional baseball player, on December 25, 1941. After the end of World War II, Les resumed his baseball career for several years, with Ada and later their sons, accompanying him to Montreal, Canada; Fort Worth, TX; and Shreveport, LA. Upon Les’ retirement, the family settled in High Point, where Ada owned and operated two ladies dress shops, Ada’s Shop and The Style Boutique, for a combined total of 33 years. During those years, she honed her skills as an astute business person and a woman with an excellent sense of fashion.
Ada and Les were active members of First United Methodist Church in High Point, where she was involved in numerous church activities, including United Methodist Women, Parson’s Table, Finance Committee and the Family Fellowship Sunday School class. They were also accomplished golfers as well as members of Club 30, a ballroom dancing group.
For the last 25 years of her life Ada was a resident at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, NC. During those years, she was involved in many activities, including serving on the planning committee for the new facility and winning the women’s billiards championship. For 15 years she also “played” the washboard and rain stick for the Presbyterian Homes of HP band and demonstrated her ballroom dancing skills while the band played. Perhaps one of her most noteworthy accomplishments was serving as an unofficial ambassador in welcoming new residents to River Landing. She was noted for taking new residents “under her wing” and helping them socially adjust to their new environment.
Ada’s love of family and joie de vivre were cornerstones of her life. Her caring nature, kind spirit and positive outlook made her beloved by all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be greatly missed.
Interment will be at Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC with a celebration of her life to be held at a later date. Gifts in Ada’s memory may be made to the Property Maintenance Fund at First United Methodist Church, 512 N. Main Street, High Point, NC 27260 or to River Landing at Sandy Ridge, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC 27235.
The family extends special thanks to the pastors and congregation of First United Methodist Church for their love and support and to the staff at River Landing for their highly skilled and compassionate care, especially during the last several years of Ada’s life. The support and love that they provided to her and her family are an example of what everyone hopes their aging loved ones can experience. [35921]
Ada was born in Guilford County, NC in 1923 to James Henry and Etta Blanche Clapp Oliver, the third of eight children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, K. Lester (Les) Burge; grandson, Robert Burge; two brothers and five sisters. She is survived by her two sons: Randy (wife Susan) and Rick (wife Kitty); three grandchildren: Matthew Burge (wife Katy); Emily Cantrell (partner Debbie); David Burge (wife Jennifer); six great-grandchildren: Harrison and Thomas Burge; Claire and Brady Cantrell; Carter and Brooks Burge; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ada was a graduate of Sumner High School, where she was senior class president, and attended High Point College (now University) before marrying Les Burge, a professional baseball player, on December 25, 1941. After the end of World War II, Les resumed his baseball career for several years, with Ada and later their sons, accompanying him to Montreal, Canada; Fort Worth, TX; and Shreveport, LA. Upon Les’ retirement, the family settled in High Point, where Ada owned and operated two ladies dress shops, Ada’s Shop and The Style Boutique, for a combined total of 33 years. During those years, she honed her skills as an astute business person and a woman with an excellent sense of fashion.
Ada and Les were active members of First United Methodist Church in High Point, where she was involved in numerous church activities, including United Methodist Women, Parson’s Table, Finance Committee and the Family Fellowship Sunday School class. They were also accomplished golfers as well as members of Club 30, a ballroom dancing group.
For the last 25 years of her life Ada was a resident at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, NC. During those years, she was involved in many activities, including serving on the planning committee for the new facility and winning the women’s billiards championship. For 15 years she also “played” the washboard and rain stick for the Presbyterian Homes of HP band and demonstrated her ballroom dancing skills while the band played. Perhaps one of her most noteworthy accomplishments was serving as an unofficial ambassador in welcoming new residents to River Landing. She was noted for taking new residents “under her wing” and helping them socially adjust to their new environment.
Ada’s love of family and joie de vivre were cornerstones of her life. Her caring nature, kind spirit and positive outlook made her beloved by all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be greatly missed.
Interment will be at Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC with a celebration of her life to be held at a later date. Gifts in Ada’s memory may be made to the Property Maintenance Fund at First United Methodist Church, 512 N. Main Street, High Point, NC 27260 or to River Landing at Sandy Ridge, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC 27235.
The family extends special thanks to the pastors and congregation of First United Methodist Church for their love and support and to the staff at River Landing for their highly skilled and compassionate care, especially during the last several years of Ada’s life. The support and love that they provided to her and her family are an example of what everyone hopes their aging loved ones can experience. [35921]
Obituary Online notes for Kermon Lester (Spouse 1)
K. Lester Burge, 80, of the Presbyterian Home died Friday, March 1, 1996, at the Presbyterian Home. He had been in declining health for two and one-half years.
He was born May 17, 1915 in Stokes County, a son of Gustavis and Alice Tuttle Burge and had been a resident of High Point for 77 years. He was a professional Baseball Player from 1938-1950. From 1939 to 1941 he played professional baseball with the Atlanta Crackers. From 1942 to 1946 he was associated with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played at Montreal.
*See Les Burge on Wikipedia
In 1947 and 1948, he was manager of the Fort Worth Baseball Club and 1949 and 1950 he was with the Shreveport Baseball Club. For a number of years he was part owner of the Tar Heel Drive In Theatre. For 22 years he was associated with Lyles Chevrolet retiring in 1984. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the High Point Host Lions Club and the Colonial Country Club. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Family Fellowship Sunday School Class. On Dec. 25, 1941 he married Ada Oliver who survives of Apt. 49, Presbyterian Home.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Randy Lester Burge of 1206 Suncrest Dr. and Thomas Ricky Burge of Greensboro; four grandchildren, Rob, Matt, Emily and David Burge.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church by Rev. Clyde K. Penry, Dr. Howard Allred and Rev. Roy L. Grant. Burial will be in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery. The body will remain at Sechrest Funeral Home, E. Lexington Ave. until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral.
Greensboro News & Record (NC) - Sunday, March 3, 1996 [35922]
He was born May 17, 1915 in Stokes County, a son of Gustavis and Alice Tuttle Burge and had been a resident of High Point for 77 years. He was a professional Baseball Player from 1938-1950. From 1939 to 1941 he played professional baseball with the Atlanta Crackers. From 1942 to 1946 he was associated with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played at Montreal.
*See Les Burge on Wikipedia
In 1947 and 1948, he was manager of the Fort Worth Baseball Club and 1949 and 1950 he was with the Shreveport Baseball Club. For a number of years he was part owner of the Tar Heel Drive In Theatre. For 22 years he was associated with Lyles Chevrolet retiring in 1984. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the High Point Host Lions Club and the Colonial Country Club. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Family Fellowship Sunday School Class. On Dec. 25, 1941 he married Ada Oliver who survives of Apt. 49, Presbyterian Home.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Randy Lester Burge of 1206 Suncrest Dr. and Thomas Ricky Burge of Greensboro; four grandchildren, Rob, Matt, Emily and David Burge.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church by Rev. Clyde K. Penry, Dr. Howard Allred and Rev. Roy L. Grant. Burial will be in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery. The body will remain at Sechrest Funeral Home, E. Lexington Ave. until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral.
Greensboro News & Record (NC) - Sunday, March 3, 1996 [35922]