Elizabeth Clark Burris

Elizabeth Clark Burris, lovingly known as Betty, Mom, and YaYa, was a caring, accepting, and nurturing woman.  She quietly left her family and friends on November 28, 2020. Betty was born and raised in Durham, NC.  She graduated from Pfeiffer University with a degree in Christian Education.  In 1964, Betty started her long life of caring for and serving others as a summer student missionary in South Korea.  Upon her return to the states, she married Gene Burris, a young pastor she met through a mutual friend.  In the following years, Betty and Gene built a family and helped each other in their careers.  She helped him to be his best as a minister, and he helped her in her different professional pursuits in human services. In her career, Betty organized and directed a day activity program for physically and mentally impaired adults in Emporia, VA, and surrounding counties.  Later, after a move to Roanoke, VA, she opened, with the support of the Roanoke Kiwanis club, one of the first Adult Day Care centers for the elderly in Roanoke.  Her last pursuit, which would be the one of which she was most passionate, was working with the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services to develop and lead the creation of a residential program for developmentally impaired adults. She leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Reverend Gene Burris, and her two children, Amber Sheely and Jeremy Burris.  YaYa, as she was affectionately called, also leaves behind four grandchildren. There will be a private family service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in Betty’s name be made to the Developmental Disabilities Ministry of Hope Tree Family Services (formerly Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services) 860 Mt. Vernon Lane,  Salem, VA 24153. Wood Funeral Service is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.woodfuneralservice.com