Obituary of Tammie Burnside Gourdouze

Tammie Ruth Burnside Gourdouze, 66, of Wedowee, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

A Memorial service will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Wedowee with Rev. Todd Noren-Hentz officiating.

The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 PM.

Tammie is survived by her brother, Jack Burnside (Vanessa) and niece Millie, of Wedowee; stepdaughters, Alison Starr (Al) of Auburn and Aimee Martin (Jed) of Opelika; sister-in-law, Robbyn Gourdouze of Tuscaloosa; brother-in-law, Ricki Gourdouze (Dawn) of Scotland; and five grandchildren, Wes, Wade, and Madeline Starr and Brandon and Braden Martin.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 16 years, Randall Gourdouze.

Tammie was born October 8, 1957, to Thomas Floyd Burnside, Jr., and Billie Ruth Sandley Burnside.  She was a 1976 graduate of Randolph County High School, where she was active in the 4-H Club.  Tammie attended Southern Union State Junior College and graduated from Auburn University in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in English.

Tammie was a resident of the Auburn/Opelika area for more than 40 years, where she was a member of Auburn First United Methodist Church.  She was employed with Auburn University for 30 years, working in the College of Veterinary Medicine and as an academic advisor in the schools of Building Science and Architecture.  After retiring in 2011, she worked at Opelika Sewing Center.

Following Randy’s death in 2022, Tammie returned to Wedowee, where she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Wedowee. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, gardening, and operating an antique booth.  Tammie also enjoyed spoiling her pets and having a weekly night with friends at Lake Wedowee Winery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the First United Methodist of Wedowee or the charity of their choice.