Barbara Burris

Waynesville – Barbara Jean Lee Burris, 90, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at her residence.

Barbara was born in Grand Blanc, Michigan to the late Clayton and Eunice Lee.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, McKinley Paul Burris; three brothers, Chesley, Harry and Kenny; a sister Marjory; and two great grandchildren, Cole and Cade.

She retired after 33 years from Paxar in 2000 at age 70, where she made many lifelong friends.  She loved her large family and enjoyed cooking holiday dinners each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Those dinners were often attended by extended family members and friends and there was sometimes as many as 25 attendees in the small Bethel house she called home for 62 years.  No one ever went away hungry or without a small gift at Christmas.  Barbara loved plants, both the house variety and outdoors.  She kept a garden until a few years ago when it became too hard for her to tend.  She adored her little Chihuahua dog, Chichi.  She was quick to laugh and just as quick with tears when she saw injustice.  Barbara attended Riverside Missionary Baptist Church.  Her family and neighbors will miss her so very much.

Barbara was much beloved by all her family which include four children, Karen A. Rabdeau Kimbell, Keith D. Burris (Sherry), Randy L. Burris (Debbie) and Sandra K. Burris Cooke (Daryl).  Barbara had six grandchildren, Jason and Stacy Siske, Tina Burris Woody (Blake), Hollie Burris, Josh Burris (Jackie) and Amanda Burris Mason (Scott).  She was also blessed with her great grandchildren, Chris, Gwyn, Ava, Olivia, Caelan and Abi.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Steve Frazier officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks will be observed.

The service will be available via Live Stream at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood County Animal Shelter, 453 Jones Cove Road, Clyde, NC  28721.