Queen Ester Burris was born June 11, 1943 to Robert Lee Burris, Sr. and Elmira Mozella Porter Burris of Shreveport, Louisiana. Queen, affectionately called “Weenie” by family and very close friends, was the 10th of 11 children born of this union. Her siblings were Luree, Alex, Robert Jr., LaDorothy, Theodore, Lula V., Jack, Jerry, Clar-ence, and Josephine.
During her formative years, she worshipped at Walker Hill Baptist Church in Shreve-port, Louisiana, and as an adult, at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
Many years ago, Queen was a young, single, and determined mother who had the love and support of her very large family. So living at home was the ideal setting for her and for her little girl, Sharon (nicknamed, “Shell”). Yet, when the opportunity to leave tiny Shreveport and move to Dallas with long-time family friends, Queen took it! And once established, she returned for her child and made a life for the two of them in “Big D”. Unbeknownst to Queen at the time, her decision ultimately resulted in generations of other family members also deciding to call Texas their home!
For decades, Queen served as a Patient Aid at Baylor Hospital in Dallas and later on as a Certified Phlebotomist. She was an extremely caring person and loved serving others. Consequently, a career in the medical field was definitely a natural fit for Queen. In fact, although her first name derived from her maternal great-grandmother, true to the character of the “Queen Ester” in the Bible, our Queen Ester was also a self-less woman who willingly put the needs of others ahead of her own — sometimes to a fault! So naturally, she was very affectionate. And Queen had a way of cupping her hands around the faces of her loved ones and gently planting a little kiss on the cheek. At times though, she could be a bit temperamental, and just as easily roll her eyes or flash a stern glare if you crossed her.
Queen also loved dancing and engaging in a little harmless, good-natured teasing. For example, she was once heard saying: “I’ll knock you out while you’re still trying to find your fists!” And although very close in age, she proudly shared stories about always protecting her “baby sister” from being bullied by two of their much older brothers. With that grin of hers, she would explain: “...Because I was strong; and I’m still strong! Do you wanna box?!” Then she proceeded to throw a few jabs in the air; just for good measure!
In time, Queen met and married the love of her life, Willie Payton Bates, Jr. in 1974. To this union was born one daughter, TiQuita Machelle Bates, who was the apple of their eye. Of course, as with any relationship, married life did indeed have it’s challenges. Yet, Queen was a loyal and devoted wife until her husband’s death in 2019.
Preceding Queen in death were her parents, Robert and Elmira; her sisters, Luree Bur-ris Mack, LaDorothy Burris White, and Lula V. Burris; and her brothers, Theodore (“Lil Bruh”), Alex (“Buddy”), Robert (“Junior”), Jack, Jerry, and Clarence.
She leaves to mourn her sister, Josephine Burris Long (husband Calvin) and sister-in-law, Clara Burris (widow of Jack) of Shreveport, Louisiana; daughters, Sharon Burris Hall and TiQuita Bates of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, LaTroy Leon Burris and Maya Rashea Allen, Ayana Banks, Jiyere Cogshell, Marquelle Quinn ; great-grand children, LaTroy Leon Burris, Jr., Deshané Burris, Aerianna Burris, and Kaiden Marley Gray; several generations of nieces and nephews; and a few long-time, loyal friends who loved her whole-heartedly.
So you see, our dearly beloved was unlike any other. And until we see her again, we will miss her as our sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and — our “Queen”!
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