Edwinnie Burris

Edwinnie Burris was born on October 19, 1923 to parents Clarence and Velma Martin in Gatesville, Texas, and passed away Sunday, September 19, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. She was raised in Wichita Falls, where she graduated in 1940, and then she attended Midwestern University. During World War II, she was working for the phone company as an overseas operator in Houston, and this is where she met Leonard Burris at a USO dance. They were married on July 21, 1946, until his passing on September 10, 1998. After all of her children started attending school, she went back to college and received her Bachelors of Library Science in 1966. She was employed with DISD as a librarian in the elementary schools. Edwinnie was also employed by Sanger Harris/Foleys until her retirement in 1990. She was an avid Texas Ranger fan who enjoyed reading, crocheting, and singing in the church choir. She was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Mesquite for over 58 years. Edwinnie was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Red Hat Society, and she was a den mother with the cub scouts. She was very proud of being the recipient of cornea transplants and was very grateful. She loved traveling to many different places. Edwinnie was a very faithful Christian, independent, but most of all she loved her family. She is survived by her children, Steve Burris and wife Patty, Kenneth Burris and wife Melody, David Burris and wife Lisa, Suanne Toupal and husband James, and Larry Burris and wife Evelyn; 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 2 brother-in-laws Cordwin Burris of Clinton, Illinois and Don Burris of Claremount , Florida, and a host of many other family members and friends. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 1st United Methodist Church of Mesquite 300 N. Galloway Avenue, Mesquite, Texas 75149. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the General Fund of the 1st United Methodist Church of Mesquite.