Geraldine Burgiss Mangum

RALEIGH - Geraldine Carol Burgiss Mangum died peacefully at her home Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was born on October 17, 1927, in Elkin, NC, the younger child of Walter Franklin Burgiss and Nora Cardelia Cheek. Gerry left the hills of Yadkin County in 1944 to attend Meredith College in Raleigh. While at Meredith she captured the eye of William Edward Mangum who had returned from Europe after World War II to pursue his degree at North Carolina State University. While still students, they were married in April 1947 and welcomed their first child in July 1948. Three more children followed over the subsequent 11 years. While her husband worked to grow the family business, C.C. Mangum Construction Company, Gerry managed the household on the outskirts of Raleigh on Duraleigh Road—a road she was always proud to say she had named. The seventy acre property reminded Gerry of the Burgiss family land in Elkin, so it surprised no one when Gerry’s vegetable garden grew so large that many of her friends told her she was more farmer than gardener. Gerry had a servant’s heart and was quick to share the vegetable bounty—sometimes missing the meal because she was too busy serving from the other side of the kitchen counter. Gerry and Bill enjoyed traveling—especially when golf was involved. Though not the longest ball striker at McGregor Downs Country Club or the Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, Gerry could always be counted on to hit the ball straight up the middle. And on the rare occasion when she miss-hit, one could hear her utter an, “Oh Gerry!” Though quiet and reserved most of the time, Gerry shared her Christian faith in word and deed. She taught Sunday School at Westminster Presbyterian Church, hosted a Bible study in her home, was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, volunteered at The Raleigh Rescue Mission, and housed international students from Africa and Asia. But her most devoted act of love was the decade spent caring for her husband as he battled Parkinsons Disease until his death in 2003. In addition to her parents and husband, Gerry was predeceased by her brother Eldon Burgiss, and in 2013 by her son Chris Mangum. She is survived by her son Merl and his wife Amy Easter Mangum, her daughter Jeanne Mangum Andrus and her husband Tom, Chris’ wife Pat Harvey Mangum, and her son Michael and his wife Tal Hinnant Mangum. Gerry was a devoted Grandmother to Kelly Andrus Beck (Jim), Ross Andrus, Will Andrus, Leslie Mangum Weddle (Michael), Andrea Mangum, Christopher Mangum, Walker Mangum, and Calley Mangum. And she was GiGi to 10 precious great-grandchildren. In addition, the family would like to express their love and gratitude to the incredible circle of “Gerry’s Ladies” who cared for her with tenderness and grace for over 12 years. The family will receive friends at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Digital condolences may be left at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com. A private funeral ceremony is planned for Friday, June 17, 2022, in the Mausoleum at Raleigh Memorial Park. A recording of the funeral may be found at the bottom of this online obituary and on the "Tribute Wall" for Mrs. Mangum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Raleigh Rescue Mission, PO Box 58634, Raleigh, NC 27658, or online at www.raleighrescue.org. Or to JobsForLife, PO Box 20368, Raleigh, NC 27619, or online at www.jobsforlife.org. A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.