Mrs. Ruth Marsh Burgess, age 84, of West Jefferson, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2011 at Margate Health & Rehab Center in Jefferson. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:00am at West Jefferson United Methodist Church with Rev. Kirk McNeill officiating. Burial will follow in the Calloway Cemetery in West Jefferson. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00am on Thursday, one hour prior to the funeral service at West Jefferson United Methodist Church. Mrs. Burgess was born August 31, 1926 in Ashe County to the late Crater and Emma Houck Marsh. Mrs. Burgess is survived by her husband, George Burgess of West Jefferson; a son, Mike Burgess and wife Mary (Mert), of West Jefferson; two brothers, Roy Marsh, of Hickory and James Marsh, of Boone; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the West Jefferson United Methodist Church P.O. Box 826, West Jefferson, NC 28694 or to a charity of the donors choice. You may give the family your condolences at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com. Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.