Click this link to view additional details about Mattie Lee Erkard services

https://my.gather.app/remember/mattie-lee-erkard

Mattie Lee Erkard, a long time Plainfield, New Jersey resident, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2020 at the age of 82. She was born in Louisa, Virginia to the late Joe Burgess and the late Sylvia Ragland-Burgess on April 21, 1938.

Mattie was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother who will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and generosity. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy in life.

Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 "be kind, and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ forgave you.

Mattie was a member of Community Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. One of her favorite hymns was "Precious Lord"; it softly played for her just before she departed this life.

Mattie worked in retail for 40 years. Her great since of fashion, style and people skills earned her numerous awards of excellence for a job well done.

Mattie's favorite past time was reading, she would sit and read for hours sometimes falling asleep with a book in her hands. She also enjoyed baking; she was known for her festive jelly bean cake at Easter and her delicious sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving. She use to say "now this is a lip smacking pie made from scratch."

Mattie was a kind, loving and giving person with a servants heart. She extended a helping hand to those in need. She was so loved by her community, everywhere she went people knew Miss Mattie. When she smiled it made the day a little brighter.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by one grandson; a sister, Julia Mae Grooms of Louisa, Virginia and a brother, Carl Burgess.

Mattie was a proud mom of Linwood "Butch" Ragland of Charlottesville, Virginia; daughters, Sylvia Sharpe of Plainfield, New Jersey and Tonya Clark of Roselle Park, New Jersey. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; brothers, Herbert Burgess and Joe Burgess and his wife Mary Burgess all of Louisa, Virginia; sisters, Linda Bishop and her husband Roy Bishop of Louisa, Virginia and Fannie Bishop of Louisa, Virginia.