Obituary Mrs. Helen A. McKnight Burgess was born October 27, 1945 in Sumter County to the late James and Victoria McCants McKnight.Helen was educated in the public schools of Sumter, SC. She was a former custodian with the Sumter School District.Helen accepted at Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Greater Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist, Sumter, SC. She was a member of St. John Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Betty Pringle.Helen dedicated her life to the rearing of her children whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, singing, reading, studying her Bible, and foremost she loved to talk about her love for God.In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by two sisters, Louise Oliver and Johnnie Govan and two children at birth.Helen departed this life on February 8, 2018 in Sumter, SC.Helen leaves to cherish her memories her loving children; son, Anthony (Nevetta) McKnight, eight daughters, Jacqueline M. Plowden, Helen (Barkley) McGill, Lorraine (Reginald) Johnson, Katherine (Samuel) Russell, Georgette (Jeremiah) Perry, Tekeshia Burgess, Sharon Burgess, Lawanda Burgess, Denise Clea, Sonya K. Farmer, Stacey Ritter, Sherill Ritter and Vera Brooks; a sister, Martha (George) Washington; a brother, Sammie Lee McKnight; thirty-nine grandchildren, Anthony McKnight Jr, DeVonta McKnight, JeVonta McKnight, Lavondria Johnson, Malik Plowden, Staff Sgt. Cornelius Nathaniel, Shameka Nathaniel, Sgt. Deiont'e Nathaniel, Barkley J. McGill, Elliott Chance, Jr, Jurasia Johnson, Regine Johnson, Reginald Johnson, Jarvis Johnson, Dominque Harper, Samiya Russell, Samuel Russell Jr, Tony Wilson, Bryson Wilson, Carter Perry, DeVonta Daniels, J'Laeyuh, Tekel Gregg, Tekela Gregg, Carlo Greg, Camelle Gregg, Khalil Glisson, Ja'Kyah Glisson, Kevin Benson Jr, Dionyea, Clea, Derrick Jones, Destani Clea, Alexis Ritter, Trevon Stewart, Nehemiah Stewart, Speerit Toney, Jay Ritter, Osval Velesquez, and Acacia, fourteen great-grandchildren; Nia Mcknight, Caylin Nathaniel, Caleb Nathaniel, A'kemiah Washington, Nyemah Hart, Maleina Boyd, Valaiyah Hall, Kameir, Janylah Jackson, Jaceon Copper, Malaysia Brailsford, Mariah Wilson, Markel Gibbons and Ralynn Yates, a special niece Clara Johnson; special granddaughter that was instrumental in her care, Lavondria Johnson; a god-daughter, Shakeyia Bell; her caregivers McLeod Hospice of Florence, SC; a host of other sons and daughters whom she loved dearly and a host of other relatives and friends to numerous to name.The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter and son in law, Lorraine and Reginald Johnson 822 Club Lane Sumter, SC Interment Information Hillside Memorial Park ` 2445 Cains Mill Road Sumter, South Carolina, United States 29154 Visitation When Thursday, February 15th, 2018 1:00pm - 6:00pm Location Whites Mortuary, LLC Address 517 N. Guignard Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 Service Information When Friday, February 16th, 2018 11:00am Officiating Pastor Sammie D. Simmons Location St. Mark Four Bridges Missionary Baptist Church Address 2280 Four Bridges Road Sumter, SC 29153 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Ann Burgess, please visit our floral store.