Elum Burris was born January 7, 1924 to Needham Alva and Roxa (Johnson) Burris in Malvern, Arkansas. He passed away Friday, January 24, 2020 in Van Buren at the age of 96. He lived in Legacy Heights Retirement Center, was a member of Van Buren First Assembly of God Church, worked for AOG Gas Company for 15 years retiring in 1985, worked for 10 years for AARP free income tax service, was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving in Sipan for three years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Oneta Viola Thompson Burris; wife, Louise Mays Burris; daughter, Betty Anita Burris; father, Alvin Needham Burris; mother, Roxa Johnson Burris; sister, Alma Morrison Scrimshire; son, Ronald Gene Burris and brother, Mitchell Alvin Burris.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Weidman Burris; son, Allen Ray Burris and wife, Cheryl; sister, Melva Sue Burton; many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, January 31 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Fort Smith. Viewing will be Thursday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Mike and Mark Burris, Danny Morrison, Stephen Burton, Larry Burton and Richard Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Weidman and Larry Mays.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Buren First Assembly of God Church Outreach Program.
