Elaine Reigle (Manry) Burge

Elaine Reigle (Manry) Burge age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2020. She died in hospice care after succumbing to complications of end stage heart failure. In spite of restrictions due to the pandemic, several members of her family were able to be with her as she passed and others were allowed to visit briefly to say goodbyes.
Elaine was born on September 16, 1934 to Coburn DeForest Reigle (Ovid, NY) and Naomi Smith Reigle (Bartow, FL). She was born and raised in Bartow, Florida, the oldest of three girls. From a very young age Elaine knew she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating from Bartow High School, she attended Grady Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta. As a new RN, she began her nursing career at Grady Hospital in 1955. She was always proud to say that new Grady graduates were experienced enough to oversee entire floors! Over the years, she worked in a variety of nursing roles in several large public hospitals in Florida and Georgia. This experience, along with her innate confidence and determination allowed Elaine to take on more administrative and leadership roles as she advanced in her career.
During the second half of her career she worked as a geriatric nurse in long term care, eventually taking on the position as Administrator of Budd Terrace at Wesley Woods, one of the first assisted living facilities in Atlanta. She was a natural leader and was loved and respected by her staff and colleagues. She retired at age 67, but not for long. She took on a part-time position at another assisted-living facility, where she established a successful wellness program. The educational tools and classes she developed helped residents understand and monitor their chronic health conditions, while encouraging healthier lifestyles and preventive care. She loved and took pride in her role as a nurse and educator for the elderly. Her second retirement began at the age of 82. She often wondered if she should have kept going.
After “really” retiring, Elaine spent time with her family, traveled, and enjoyed friends and activities in her community. She was always willing to help anyone who asked. Throughout life, her mind and spirit were alive and vibrant. With aging, she adapted to the physical limitations of her failing body, but remained energetic, tenacious, active, and engaged. During her life Elaine was a loving and caring mother, wife, sister, and friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Elaine is survived by daughter, Teresa Manry Ball, and sons, Jeffrey DeForest Manry (LuAnne) and Benjamin Winn Manry (Kelly); step-daughter Brenda Tomack (Shelley); two sisters, Ruth R. Smith (Ralph) and Virginia R. Reigle; step-brother, Webster Rice (Sherry); step-sister, Theodora “Doshia” Wagner (Jerry); eight grandchildren, Nicole Manry Pourchier (Andrew), Taylor Snell Manry (Nicole), Connor Martin Ball (Kaitlyn), Andrew Jefferson Ball, Maci Elaine Manry, Candace Tomack West (Donald) and Brandon Burge (Kate) and Jared Burge; ten great-grandchildren, Penelope and Bankston Pourchier, Miles Manry, Evelyn Ball, Madison and Kylie West and Anthony, Griffin, Rhys and Cora Burge. Also surviving are many loving nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to name.
Elaine is preceded in death by her first husband Leon Jefferson Manry, second husband William Ralph Burge, son-in-law Martin Lewis Ball III, and step-son Larry Burge.
Due to the ongoing severity of the pandemic, a private graveside ceremony is planned. The family acknowledges and appreciates the many people who wish to pay their respects and honor Elaine’s life. Please leave condolences and share your memories on the A.S Turner & Sons link on their website. Your words of encouragement will be such a comfort at this time.
The family would like to thank all the individuals who touched Elaine’s life in so many ways.
As there will be no public visitation or funeral service, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Wesley Woods Foundation at Foundationofwesleywoods.org or by mailing a check to:
Foundation of Wesley Woods
1817 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329