Mother Rosie Lee Burt, age 94, peacefully entered her eternal rest surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 10, 1931, in Oxford, Mississippi, to Hulett and Christine Hickonbottom. She was one of eight children and was raised with a strong foundation of family, faith, love, and service.

Mother Burt married the love of her life, Rev. Dr. Robert E. Burt Jr., on July 13, 1954, in Preston, Minnesota. Together, they built a life centered around family, ministry, and service to others.

She relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1954. She began her career as a cook at the Elks Club and later became the restaurant manager at Quality Inn. She was well known for her exceptional cooking and baking, and her delicious meals were enjoyed by many. 

Throughout her life, Mother Burt was deeply committed to serving others and her community. She served as Women’s Vice President of the Iowa State Convention and as Women’s President of the Iowa Eastern District Association. Her home and heart were always open to children in need. She welcomed many neighborhood children into her home and as a licensed foster parent provided foster care for numerous children, offering them love, care, and a sense of family.

Mother Burt also served the Waterloo community through her work with the Waterloo Schools as a bus driver for many years. Her dedication to children extended beyond her professional responsibilities, reflecting her nurturing spirit and genuine concern for the well-being of others.

She faithfully supported her husband and family in ministry, serving as First Lady of Saviour Baptist Church and Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. In 2003, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and there she made New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church her church home. In 2025, she returned to Waterloo, Iowa, and became a member of Antioch Baptist Church.

Mother Burt will be remembered for her loving heart, generous spirit, devotion to family and community, and the many lives she touched through her service, hospitality, and unwavering care for others. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Dr. Robert E. Burt Jr.; her son, Rev. William E. Jones Sr.; two grandson; one great-granddaughter; one great-grandson; her parents, Hulett and Christine Hickonbottom; her grandparents; two brothers: James R. Hickonbottom and Hosea Hickonbottom (her twin); and four sisters, Myra E. Hickonbottom, Lula M. Payne, Inez Jackson, and Dorothy L. Williams.

She leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to her four sons: Jerry D. Burt Sr. of Minneapolis, MN; Robert B. (Cynthia) Burt III of Sacramento, CA; Rev. Raymond V. (Willie Mae) Burt Sr. of Omaha, NE; and Bishop Jay R. (Janice) Burt Sr. of Waterloo, IA; two daughters, Edith R. (Hugh) Kelly Thompson of Memphis, TN, and Lorraine B. Jackson of Waterloo, IA; one daughter-in-love, Lucille Jones of Ankeny, IA, one sister, Annie C. Becton of Fayetteville, NC; 40 grandchildren; 107 great-grandchildren; 28 great-great-grandchildren; one godchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and loved ones.

Mother Rosie Lee Burt leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, service, love, and compassion. She opened her heart and touched countless lives through her kindness, cooking, generosity, and unwavering love.

Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that her work on earth is complete. Her memory will continue to live on through the many lives she touched and through the generations of family she leaves behind.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Family and friends will be received at 414 Almond St., Waterloo, IA 50703 beginning Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.