Rev. Phillip Landers "Phil" Burgess

Rev. Phillip “Phil” Landers Burgess, age 71, of Toccoa, passed away at his home on March 12, 2026. Born on May 7, 1954, in Toccoa, he was the son of the late Rev. Lester Robert and Evelyn Christine Kellar Burgess.

Phil pastored Collins Road Baptist Church for 13 years and remained a faithful member there throughout his life. He served with the Gideons International, participated in numerous mission trips, and most recently devoted himself to Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. He and his father owned and operated Big A Trim Shop for many years before he served as facilities manager at Shadowbrook Baptist Church in Suwanee. A private pilot, he held a lifelong love for anything with wings. He found great joy in the outdoors—camping, grilling, and gathering around campfires with family and friends—but his greatest delight was time spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jimmie Brown Burgess, of Toccoa; daughter Alicia Arnold of Toccoa; son John Burgess (Tonya) of Eastanollee; grandchildren Kristina Belt (Jonathan), Rachel Arnold, Garrett Burgess, and Nathan Burgess; great-grandson Benjamin Belt; sister DeJuan Martin (Ken); and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Debbie Shelton.