Myrtle, Jr. Burris

     On August 24, 2021, the Lord called home a true servant of God, Mr. Myrtle Burris, Jr.  Myrtle was the fifth of nine children.  The baby boy of the family.  Myrtle Burris, Jr. was born in Felton, Delaware on June 9, 1926 to the late Myrtle and Lola Burris, Sr.

     Myrtle attended Willow Grove School and wasn’t able to finish school because he had to help his father on the farm.  Myrtle told his father he didn’t like farm work and he was going for a higher dollar.  He told his older sister Madeline at the age of 16 that one day he was going to have his own business of buying trucks and his own garage.  

     In 1944, Myrtle was drafted into the US Army.  He was stationed in Fort Dix, Harrisburg, PA, California, Seattle, WA, Hawaii and then Okinawa, Japan.  While stationed in Okinawa, he fell 75 feet off a boom while loading gasoline.  His left arm was crushed in eight places and his right leg and back badly hurt.  In 1946, he received a Medical Honorable discharge.

     Myrtle worked at various jobs after returning home.  Working at a garage, contractor, building homes, driving tractor trailer and putting water lines in Philadelphia.  During this time, he met and married Doris Browne.  He built their first home in Wyoming, DE.  They were married 48 years before her death.  From their union, they had nine children, 1 girl and 8 boys.  In 1955, he started working at Dover Air Force Base, loading planes as a Crew Chief.  During this time, he built his 2nd home in Camden, DE and his garage, named M. Burris & Sons.  Myrtle then bought 2 dump trucks and a tractor trailer.  Through his perseverance and hard work, his lifelong dream had finally become a reality.  “Let the work he’s done speak for him!”  One of his favorite sayings was, “If a Man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat.”  He was a man who showed his family and friends just being a man was not enough, but that being a Man of God was of the utmost importance.

     Myrtle will be remembered as a man of God and may have had little to say, but enjoyed being in church.  He was a faithful and dedicated member of Bibleway Tempe Church of God in Christ for over 50 years.  He helped remodel the old Bibleway and helped build the new one, physically and financially.  When he couldn’t be at the church to help, he paid someone to work in his place.  He served as a Deacon, usher, and longtime trustee and a member of the Men’s Choir.  Later, Mr. Burris became a member of Greater Love Apostolic Temple in the Spring of 2012 with his now lovely wife, Joan Draine-Burris.  Mr. Burris was a faithful member up until illness affected his attendance.  He was under the leadership of his nephew, the late, the late Bishop Curtis Bordley until his passing in 2014.  Bishop Phillip Coley is the pastor now and has nothing but great words to speak of his friend and spiritual father, Deacon Myrtle Burris, Jr.

     The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and in 1996, Myrtle was directed in the pathway of Joan Elaine Draine.  To her, he was just another brother from the church that she admired and looked up to.  Then, Myrtle was placed in her spirit and the Lord spoke and said, this is to be your husband.  They were married and had 25 blessed years together.  Theirs was not a selfish love and they were not two but one.  Her life was his life.  Joan was devoted to her husband and aby his side until his last day.  She was his wife, best friend, prayer partner and caretaker.  Their love and devotion will live on forever and touch the hearts of many.

     Myrtle is survived by his loving wife, Joan Elaine Draine-Burris.  His memory will be cherished by his daughters MaryAnn Burris and Yolanda Draine; his sons Caleb Harris, Myrtle Burris, II (Jean), Houston Burris (Patricia), JB Burris (Caroline), Edward Burris (Suzette), Craig Burris and Ronald Burris.  A host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends, two sisters, Lola-Mae Williams and Catherine Craig (Lawrence).  Mr. Burris was preceded in death by two sons, Donald and Mark Burris and three sisters, Madeline Cooper, Martha Bordley and Elizabeth Stevenson and one brother, Herschel Burris.

     A funeral service will be at 12:00 P.M. Friday, September 3, 2021 at Cross Road Christian Church, 4867 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE  19901 where there will be a viewing from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. Friday.  Burial will follow in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

Sadly submitted by The Family

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