Barbara "Dear" Howard Burrus

Our loving mother, Barbara Howard Burrus, affectionately known as "Dear", age 83, died peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2014. She was born July 8, 1931 to Edward Rainey Howard and Louise Judd Howard in Columbia, TN. Barbara spent her teenage years in Franklin, TN, attended Peabody Demonstration School and received her Elementary Education Degree from Peabody College. She was a long time member of West End United Methodist Church and participated in the hand bell choir. Friendships were enjoyed as a member of the Centennial Club and her monthly book club. Barbara enjoyed writing and shared her remarkable life story as the author of Sharing Four Cultures: A Journey of Love and Shandra's Smile. Dear lived out her faith through her devotion to family and friends, and partnered with her beloved husband in the mission fields of India and the Congo.The family appreciates the loving care and friendship provided by Vanderbilt Homecare Private Duty.Barbara is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Dr. George Robert Burrus (the love of her life); a son, George Roger Burrus, PhD. and a daughter, Ellen Burrus. Survived by her five loving daughters, Lisa Burrus Turk (Alan) of Brentwood, TN, Laura Burrus Smith (Charlie) of Atlanta, GA, Kate Burrus Griffin (Joe) of Florence, SC, Nan Burrus Cox (Tom) of Nashville, TN, and Barbara Burrus Figge (Jim) of Sun Valley, ID; 15 adoring grandchildren, Jessica Ellen Turk, Benjamin Burrus Turk, Charles Rufus Smith IV, Caroline Brasfield Smith, George Roger Smith, Barbara Ellen Griffin, Millie Howard Griffin, Emma Williams Griffin, Kate McAllister Cox, Thomas Burrus Cox, Elizabeth Fagan Cox, Anne Grace Cox, Barbara Taylor Figge, James Roger Figge and Edward Dehner Figge; and two cherished sisters, Edwyna H. Griscom and Gayle H. Brinkley (Jerry).A Celebration of Life service will be held at eleven-thirty in the morning on Monday, November 17, 2014 at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.

A visitation preceding the service will be held from ten o'clock in the morning until eleven-thirty on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the church. Dear's grandsons will serve as Pallbearers. Burial to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Roger and Ellen Burrus Foundation through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, Nashville, TN 37215.

Visit the online obituary: www.brentwood-roesch-pattonfuneralhome.com