Creola S. Burris

Creola S. Burris was born in Woolwine, Virginia, on Tuesday, November 20, 1923, to the late Manuel and Agnes Snell. She departed this life on Tuesday, June 8, 2019, at age 95 at her home in Milford, Delaware. She is the second child of six siblings. Creola attended public school in Patrick County, Virginia. She was introduced to her late husband, Sgt. Major Clarence Clifford Burris, Jr., by her brother-in-law, in the summer of 1943. They were married March 4, 1945, while Sgt. Major Burris was still in the Army. When Creola and her husband were together, you could see their love for one another in the way they spoke to each other and the way they treated and looked out for each other. They are the parents of three children and grandparents to four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Creola had many favorite endeavors. Just to name a few: Mother of John Wesley United Church, Milford, DE., Life Member of Milford Garden Club which helped her design the landscape for her home, President of Fort Hamilton NCO Wives Club, Brooklyn, NY, Bookkeeper for the Fort Hamilton Post Exchange, Brooklyn, New York. She traveled with her husband to more than 25 states in the USA and over 10 foreign countries. Creola attended classes at Delaware State University, where she learned techniques of furniture upholstery and she physically used the knowledge she gained to enhance the interior design of her home. After the passing of her husband, Creola became the CEO, owner and president of Real Estate Company, BURCRE, LLC. One of Creola’s quotes was “Do you want to talk to the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on”. Creola showed her love daily in the way she spoke to and treated people. She seldom raised her voice. Creola welcomed her husband’s aunt into her home when Aunt Edith was passing away. She again welcomed her husband’s father, Clarence Clifford Burris, Sr., into her home when his health was failing. As a military wife, Creola often had to rear her children alone when her husband was on tours of duty (TDY); first, when he was transferred to Germany during WW2, again, when he was transferred to Korea during the war, and for the third time, when he was in combat in Viet Nam. In addition to her parents and her husband, Creola was preceded in death by Marva Jones (daughter); Byarie Jones (son-in-law); Melma Finney (sister) and Jean Smallwood (sister). Left to cherish Creola’s memory are two children, Joyce Burris (retired teacher) of Milford, DE and Clarence Clifford Burris, III (attorney) of Falls Church, VA; six grandchildren, Ayasha, Octavia, Creola, D’Mitri, Tiana and Clarence Clifford Burris, IV; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn Owens (Steve) of NY; one brother, Winfred Snell (Cora May) of NC; one sister-in-law, Delema Carter of Felton, DE; one brother–in-law, Herman Mosely, Sr. of Felton, DE; dear friends, Janet Parks of Frederica, DE, Greg Parham (Deborah) of Centerville, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Creola S. Burris

November 20, 1923 - June 4, 2019