Charles Burris

Waynesville, Charles Ray Burris, age 71, of Allens Creek Road, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 25, 2008 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Graham County, he was the son of the late Ferrell Joseph and Vinnas Elizabeth Mashburn Burris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Woodrow "Woody" Burris and one brother, Kelly Burris. He worked for Spartan Express, Wilsonart, and later owned and operated Charlie's Auto Parts. In 1954 he started his own business, Burris Trucking, where he worked for most of his life. Lastly he worked with Haywood County Schools in the bus garage until his passing. Charles loved NASCAR and all other types of racing, including drag-racing and motorcycle racing. He especially loved his grandchildren and family pets. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ida Smiley Burris; one son, Mark Burris and his wife, Amy; two daughters, Connie Cooper and her husband, Brian, and Stacy Freeman and her husband, Mark; one brother, Carroll Burris and his wife, Marie, all of Waynesville; six grandchildren, Amber and KaLee Messer, Bethany Tice, Lauren Burris, Joseph Snyder, and Joshua Burris Freeman; two nephews, Steve and Dale Burris; and one niece, Angie Penley. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2008 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Phillip Wyatt, Reverend Mark Tice, and Reverend Mark Golden officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve and Dale Burris, Michael Penley, Marion Ferguson, Rex Cassada, and Alton Cagle, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be David Shuler, Bobby Massie, Jerry Owens, and Dale Glance. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, and at other times at the residence. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Ninevah Baptist Church, 931 Country Club Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786 or North Hazelwood Baptist Church, 809 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Haywood Regional Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit for the special loving care of Charles during his illness.

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