Herman Trueheart Burgess Sr.

Herman Trueheart Burgess Sr. 94, of Petersburg, passed away Monday, October 1, 2024, at his residence. He was proceeded in death by his parents Herman Oliver and Lucy Virginia Burgess, his brother Oliver Taylor and wife Madge Burgess, and their son Terry, also his sister Helen and husband Garland Morris and their son Wayne. He leaves a devoted wife and partner in business Ann Shirley Burgess, and three children, Herman T, Jr., (Truey), Kathy Anne and Rick, his wife Kathy and three grandchildren, Ryan, Zach, and Jennifer. He was born in Dendron, Virginia in the home built by his grandfather, and where his father was born. He graduated from Surry County High School in 1948. While in High School he worked for a private bakery, driving his own car, delivering pies to the various distributing points. He worked on commission and had to hustle to keep his car going. Later during school, he ran a dry cleaner route and worked with his dad on the farm. He and a friend got a job at “Cellanease”, a textile factory in Hopewell and both still worked on the farm as well. He became one of two who went on a strike for higher wages at the factory. The men who worked there had families and could not afford to strike for higher wages, but these two had income from the farm and had nothing to lose. They got the raise for everyone. Wanting his total independence, Herman joined the United States Army when he was 20 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He served two years, graduated jump school and earned his Jump Wings. Due to the illness of his father, at the age of 22, he accepted full responsibility of running the family farm and at times managing some 15 employees. The farm included corn, peanuts, wheat and soybeans, also raising livestock such as pigs, sheep and cattle. At age 30 he was known as one of the best farmers with top producing crops. The roaming independent spirit again changed his direction, so he enrolled in Beauty School in Washington, NC, then continued advanced training at Hicks Beauty Academy in Norfolk, VA. He studied extensively at Sared Laboratories with the great chemist Ed Leonard. With the help of his brother who worked for Breck Laboratories he spent much of his time at Polychem Inc. in South Carolina learning the chemistry of hair. He took a job at his brother’s salon to learn the art of running a business and resolving hair issues. He then, opened his first salon in Suffolk, VA and remained downtown for two years, and then opened a second salon in Petersburg, VA traveling between the two. Petersburg became more successful, so he closed the salon in Suffolk and moved the Petersburg Salon to South Crater Road where it remained for 50 years as” The House of Burgesses Beauty Salon.” The salon was originally named by, his family physician, Dr. Kaufman from Wakefield. During his career he served as the President of the Southside Hairdressers Association, and The Virginia Cosmetologist Association. He was appointed to the Virginia State Board of Hairdressers by the late Governor, John Dalton. He served as chairman of the Virginia Hairdressers Convention for 9 years and represented Virginia at the National Conventions for four years. He served as an active member of the educational body “Virginia Hair Fashion Committee”, traveling and sharing ideas with others. He gave to the community serving as a member of the Tri County General Vocational Advisory Committee serving Dinwiddie, Prince George and Sussex Counties, he served as a charter member and as president of the Greater Crater Merchants Association, he was a member of the Blackwater Sportsman’s Club, he was a graduate of the Petersburg Police Citizens Academy. He served on the Board of Directors of Crime Solvers, a graduate of Leadership Southside, served on the Board of Directors of Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA. He loved lake life, which included boating, water skiing and jet skiing. He also enjoyed motorcycle riding and driving his cars and his tractors. He loved talking with people and will be missed by many. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Crater Road Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 3935 S. Crater Road Petersburg, Virginia 23805 with the Reverend Dr. Ray Haskett officiating. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery Petersburg, Virginia. The family will receive friends Saturday, one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.