Eleda Marie Whalen Burgess, age 55, of Kingston, passed away January 23, 2021 at Roane Medical Center from COVID-19. Eleda was born August 20, 1965. She attended South Harriman Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus as her savior on a bright Easter morning at the age of 9. Her ministry was helping in the church kitchen and being very creative helping with many special events and weddings. Eleda graduated from Harriman High School and Tennessee Tech. with a Bachelor’s Degree. Eleda was manager of ORNL Federal Credit Union in Kingston, where she helped many members with their financial needs.

Eleda was preceded in death by her father: Tony Whalen; grandparents: Warren and Hazel Whalen and Roy and Ellen Barger; and father and mother-in-law: R.P. and Hazel Burgess

Eleda is survived by her husband of 30 years: Doug Burgess; daughter: Rachel Burgess; mother: Oneda Whalen; aunts and uncles: Alton and Roma Lingerfelt and Edna Lee Lowery; cousins: Lisa and Bunny Whalen; special friends: Dustin and Chelsey Cook and their children Grayson and Journey who called her Mamaw; high School and College friends who met every year for their birthdays, Karen Russell, Cindy Hensley, and Kim Hall; and many special extended Burgess and Whalen family members.

The family will receive friends Monday, January 25, 2021 at the Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman from 4 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at the Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman. Interment will follow in Roane Memorial Gardens. Because of COVID-19, masks will be required during visitation and services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the South Harriman Baptist Church for care of the Whalen property.