Heather Renee Burgess

Heather Renee Burgess, 46, of Girard, KS, passed away Friday, January 23, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO. as the result of an automobile collision.

She was born October 13, 1979 in Charlotte, NC, to Gerald Robert Burgess and Linda Sue
Gillespie.

Heather was a devoted mother to her three daughters; Kaitlyn Sharbutt, Caroline Sharbutt, and Layla Sharbutt.

Heather was a Special Education Teacher with Interlocal 637, and worked at Pittsburg High
School. In December 2025, Heather graduated with an Education Specialist Degree from
Pittsburg State University, and she was planning to pursue her Doctorate as well. Heather used a saying from Dr. Seuss which are words she believed "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" She made sure her students believed in this also.

In addition to her daughters; Kaitlyn, Caroline, and Layla, Heather is survived by her Mother, Linda Sue Gillespie; Step-Father Billy Eads; Fiancé, Anthony Fischer; and Ex-Husband, Thomas Sharbutt, Aunts Anita Self (William) of Graniteville, SC, Candace Russell (Glenn) of Charlotte, NC, and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Glenn Mae Fogg Gillespie and Colt Richard Gillespie and paternal grandparents Robert and Pauline Burgess.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Pittsburg Nazarene Church starting at 1:30 PM with Pastor Chad Eads of Liberty Baptist Church officiating. Following the service, everyone is invited to stay at the church for an informal visitation to share stories and photos with the family until 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the USD 250 Foundation or PHS Band Boosters. These may be left at the church or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends and family may share condolences at www.brennermortuary.com <<http://www.brennermortuary.com/>.> Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.


 

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