Ms. Sharon Burgess Dowdy was born in Panama to the late Muriel and Claude Burgess.  She graduated from Balboa High School in Panama Canal Zone. Shortly after graduating high school Sharon joined the  United States Air Force and valiantly served her country for 20 years.  After being honorably retired from the Air Force, she joined the United States Department of Veteran Affairs as a civilian in Orlando, Florida and retired in 2015.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Claude & Muriel Burgess, and sisters Elena Garner and Yvonne Burgess-Richards.

Left to cherish her memories are her Son, Bryson Jamar Hightower (Lazhane); Devoted Life Partner, Larry Hightower; Granddaughter, Leilani Hightower; Sisters, Vilma Burgess and Annette Thompson; Brothers, Claude, Eduardo, Guillermo, Gregorio, and Miguel Burgess; God children, Marcus Moore and Kaitlyn Ciara Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.