Obituaries
Richard Rayvon Burris, Sr.
( October 13, 1928 - September 22, 2016 )
Richard Rayvon Burris, Sr., 87, of Lincolnton, NC, passed away surrounded by his large, loving family, on the evening of September, 22, 2016, his brave year-long battle with pulmonary fibrosis over.
Dick Burris was friendly, loving, forgiving, and positive to his last day. His ability to laugh was only exceeded by his ability to love. He never met a stranger, and if you were loved by one of his family members you were loved by him.
Dick, or Poppie as he was known to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Catawba, NC, on October 13, 1928 to the late Zeb Richard and Willie Lee Burris. The oldest of their five children (who still gather for brother/sister breakfasts weekly), Dick graduated from Lincolnton High School and attended Mars Hill College. He left school to serve his country in the US Army (stateside) during the Korean Conflict. After discharge, Dick graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College (but that never stopped him from rooting for the Tar Heels).
To say that Dick was a man with varied interests would be an understatement. In addition to his love of sports, Dick learned woodworking and made furniture cherished by his children and friends. He also loved driving fast cars on tracks, even into his 80s. Many of us marveled at his incredible model train tracks.
Dick had two true loves in his life. After years of searching for a partner in life Dick found one in high school classmate Helen Goodson. They married in 1957 and had three children. His pride in their accomplishments, and more importantly the people they became, was something that anyone who ever spoke with him was sure to learn.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1987. Dick later began the next phase of his life with Louise Warlick Shuford. They were married in 2001, merging their two families. Neither of them had “step” anythings; their children, sons and daughters in law, and grandchildren were simply family. Everyone, especially Dick, always looked forward to the extended family gatherings and fireworks show at Lake Hickory every July 4th. Even this year in his declining health, Dick made his way down to the dock and had a water gun fight with his great-grandson, Beau, much to everyone’s surprise and delight.
Dick will live on in our thoughts, but he will be profoundly missed.
Dick was pre-deceased by his parents, his first wife Helen, and grandson Jonathan Brookins. He is survived by his wife, Louise Warlick Shuford Burris of the home; his aunt, Helen Yount; his siblings Barbara Burris Miller, Steve Burris (Sandra), Jerry Burris (Kay), David Burris (Pam); his and Louise’s children, Richard R. Burris, Jr. (Diane) of Asheville, Linda Yoder (Alfred) of Lincolnton, Beth Burris (Eric Englebardt) of Greenville, SC, Sally Shuford Brookins of Lincolnton, John Shuford (Anne) of Charlotte, and Anna Shuford Rush (Scott) of Columbia, SC; his grandchildren Laura Dunston (Ellis), Cruz Nestler, Chelsea Burris, Tanner Nestler (fiancé Elizabeth Keil), Jana Clack (Randy), Aaron Englebardt, Skye Nestler, Carly Burris, Samantha Burris, Max Englebardt, Lauren Brookins Bryant (Alex), Graham Shuford, and Kendall Shuford; and his great-grandchildren (the lights of his last years) Marlo Dunston and Beau Bryant.
The family will be at the Yoder residence at 1868 Smith Farm Road, Lincolnton. Visitation is on Sunday, September 25, 2016, from 1:30 – 3:15 pm at First United Methodist Church, Lincolnton, with the funeral service following in the sanctuary at 3:30 pm. Burial will follow at Hollybrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jonathan Brookins Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 615, Lincolnton, NC 28093; First United Methodist Church, 201 East Main St. Lincolnton, NC 28092; or Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Dr, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
Dick Burris was friendly, loving, forgiving, and positive to his last day. His ability to laugh was only exceeded by his ability to love. He never met a stranger, and if you were loved by one of his family members you were loved by him.
Dick, or Poppie as he was known to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Catawba, NC, on October 13, 1928 to the late Zeb Richard and Willie Lee Burris. The oldest of their five children (who still gather for brother/sister breakfasts weekly), Dick graduated from Lincolnton High School and attended Mars Hill College. He left school to serve his country in the US Army (stateside) during the Korean Conflict. After discharge, Dick graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College (but that never stopped him from rooting for the Tar Heels).
To say that Dick was a man with varied interests would be an understatement. In addition to his love of sports, Dick learned woodworking and made furniture cherished by his children and friends. He also loved driving fast cars on tracks, even into his 80s. Many of us marveled at his incredible model train tracks.
Dick had two true loves in his life. After years of searching for a partner in life Dick found one in high school classmate Helen Goodson. They married in 1957 and had three children. His pride in their accomplishments, and more importantly the people they became, was something that anyone who ever spoke with him was sure to learn.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1987. Dick later began the next phase of his life with Louise Warlick Shuford. They were married in 2001, merging their two families. Neither of them had “step” anythings; their children, sons and daughters in law, and grandchildren were simply family. Everyone, especially Dick, always looked forward to the extended family gatherings and fireworks show at Lake Hickory every July 4th. Even this year in his declining health, Dick made his way down to the dock and had a water gun fight with his great-grandson, Beau, much to everyone’s surprise and delight.
Dick will live on in our thoughts, but he will be profoundly missed.
Dick was pre-deceased by his parents, his first wife Helen, and grandson Jonathan Brookins. He is survived by his wife, Louise Warlick Shuford Burris of the home; his aunt, Helen Yount; his siblings Barbara Burris Miller, Steve Burris (Sandra), Jerry Burris (Kay), David Burris (Pam); his and Louise’s children, Richard R. Burris, Jr. (Diane) of Asheville, Linda Yoder (Alfred) of Lincolnton, Beth Burris (Eric Englebardt) of Greenville, SC, Sally Shuford Brookins of Lincolnton, John Shuford (Anne) of Charlotte, and Anna Shuford Rush (Scott) of Columbia, SC; his grandchildren Laura Dunston (Ellis), Cruz Nestler, Chelsea Burris, Tanner Nestler (fiancé Elizabeth Keil), Jana Clack (Randy), Aaron Englebardt, Skye Nestler, Carly Burris, Samantha Burris, Max Englebardt, Lauren Brookins Bryant (Alex), Graham Shuford, and Kendall Shuford; and his great-grandchildren (the lights of his last years) Marlo Dunston and Beau Bryant.
The family will be at the Yoder residence at 1868 Smith Farm Road, Lincolnton. Visitation is on Sunday, September 25, 2016, from 1:30 – 3:15 pm at First United Methodist Church, Lincolnton, with the funeral service following in the sanctuary at 3:30 pm. Burial will follow at Hollybrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jonathan Brookins Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 615, Lincolnton, NC 28093; First United Methodist Church, 201 East Main St. Lincolnton, NC 28092; or Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Dr, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
Posted on 23 Sep 2016
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521