Shirley Jean Burris

Born in Columbus, Ohio on May 14, 1935, to the late James Richardson Spencer, Sr., and Ruthella E. (Fadley) Spencer.

Shirley was a military spouse and mother of four children and her family always came first.

From an early age she loved singing in the church choir and in school. She was always singing and had a beautiful voice.

When Shirley was eighteen years old, she started working at Sears and soon after she met her future husband, Gerald F. Burris, Sr., and they were married on October 31, 1954. Her husband preceded her in death in 2016.

After getting married she followed her husband whenever the Army sent them.

Her son Jerry was born in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Her daughter Bonnie was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Her son Aubrey was born in Augsburg, Germany.

Her son John was born in Washington, DC.

While her husband was stationed in Alaska, Shirley was a floor manager for J.C. Penney. After her husband retired from the Army, she started her own career.

She worked for the Workshop for the Blind where she helped blind people live independently.

She worked for Informatics, Inc. from 1979 until 1985.

Shirley was always there to help people when they needed help.

After her husband’s retirement from the Civil Service in 1994, Shirley moved with her husband to Palmyra, Virginia and she lived there until her passing.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Bonnie Mitchell and her husband Shawn Mitchell, her son Aubrey Burris, her son John Richardson Burris and his wife Mary Helen Burris, her daughter in law Lois (Tish) Minehart Burris and her brother James Richardson Spencer, Jr.

Shirley is survived by ten grandchildren, Jason Mitchell, Brian Mitchell, Chad Mitchell, Garrett Mitchell, Savannah Burris, John F. Burris, Dean Burris, Betsy Rinaldi, Brenda Norman and Christy Ford Burris.

Shirley is survived by four great grandchildren, Aggie Mitchell, Troy Burris, Jenevieve (Jenna) Krauss and Palmer Krauss.

Shirley was preceded in death by her son Gerald Francis Burris, Jr., and her sister Gloria Archibald.

Shirley was well loved and will greatly be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Shirley’s name to a charity of your choice.