Frances E. Burris

Frances E. Burris, 96, of Jonesboro, died Sunday at St. Elizabeth’s Place where she had resided for the past two years.

Born in Swifton, Mrs. Burris lived much of her life in Jonesboro. She along with her husband, Lewis Burris, operated cotton gins in Egypt and Lake City, and farmed in Craighead and Lawrence Counties. Frances was a graduate of Arkansas State College, now A.S.U., and taught school for several years. She was a life member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority at ASU.

Frances was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro where she served as Junior Department Director for 17 years, the Dorcas Sunday school class teacher for 25 years and was past president of the Women’s Missionary Union.

Frances was past president of the League of Women Voters, past president of the Gladiolus Garden Club and the Jonesboro Council of Garden clubs, and was a Regent in the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as Board Secretary for the Salvation Army from 1971-77, was a member of the Twentieth Century Club, and a member of St. Bernard’s Auxiliary where she worked the ICU desk for 20 years.

Frances was a world traveler and was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Burris, a great grandson, Luke Wiggins, and by 3 brothers, Earl, John and Tom Rorex.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law: Willa and Wayne Wiggins of Jonesboro;
1 sister and her husband, Gussie and Vic Crafton of Fayette, Iowa;

3 grandchildren and their spouses: Wayne and Nonie Wiggins, and Sarah and Pete Murphy, all of Jonesboro, and Debbie and Jim Webb of Springfield, Missouri; and 6 great grandchildren: Mark Wiggins, Lance Wiggins, Jake Webb, Zach Webb and his wife Clairese, Trevor Murphy and Mallory Murphy.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday morning at 11:00 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. A private burial will be in Jonesboro Memorial Park preceding the service at the church.

Active pallbearers include Jim Webb, Wayne Wiggins, III, Pete Murphy, Mark Wiggins, Lance Wiggins, Jake Webb, Zach Webb and Trevor Murphy.

Honorary pallbearers include the deacons of First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to St. Bernard’s Auxiliary, First Baptist Care Center, The Salvation Army, or the charity of the donor’s choice.