Joe Billy Burris

Joe Billy Burris, age 88, of Elkhart, is now in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven.  Mr. Burris passed away at The Hospice of East Texas, on Sunday, the 13th day of June 2021, with his loving children, Joey and Jeff, by his side.  He was born on the 15th day of January 1933, in Anderson County, Texas to parents Jacob D. Burris and Ruby Holt Burris.

Mr. Burris graduated from Elkhart High School in 1952.  He was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.  After high school, he served in the United States Army and married his sweetheart, Jaynie Boyd.  The two were one for 55 years until her passing in 2008. 

After returning home from the service, Mr. Burris began his long career at Elkhart State Bank.  He started as a teller and retired as the bank President after 43 years of dedication.  During Mr. Burris’s life, he was involved in many organizations throughout the community.  He served on the City Council and served twice as the Mayor for the City of Elkhart.  Mr. Burris was a huge contributor to the construction of the Elkhart Baseball Field.  He dedicated much of his time as the Director for the Trinity River Authority from 1977 to 1983 and the Anderson and Houston County Soil and Water Board from 1974 to 1996. 

Mr. Burris was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elkhart.  He served as a Deacon for several years at First Baptist and was involved with the Elkhart United Church Charities for many years.  Mr. Burris was an avid sports fan and found contentment in growing a garden.  Mr. Burris’s leadership and commitment to the Elkhart community will be greatly missed.               

Mr. Burris joins in Heaven his parents Jacob and Ruby Burris, wife Jaynie R. Burris, sister Leona Thumann, and two brothers, Elvin Burris and Harold Burris.

Mr. Burris is survived by his daughter, Joey Sanders and husband Barrett of Elkhart, Texas; son, Jeffery Boyd Burris and wife Stephanie Smith-Burris of Bruceville, Texas; sister, Gail Campbell; and brothers, Troy Burris, Ron Burris, Dennis Burris, and Jacob Larry Burris.  Mr. Burris also leaves behind his grandchildren, Jamie McEnturff, Denver Teague Burris, Jackson Boyd Burris; great-grandchildren, Harleigh McEnturff, Laci McEnturff; great-great-grandchild, Remmi Whitiker; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and a host of friends.

Friends are invited to a visitation to share memories of Mr. Burris with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 16th day of June 2021 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Joe Burris is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 17th day of June 2021 at First Baptist Church in Elkhart.  Bro. Jason Hoffman and Bro. David Franklin will be officiating the service.  Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Denver Burris, Jackson Burris, Scott Shaver, Coy Rodgers, Brian Wilson and John Adair.  Honorary pallbearers will be Marion Hortman, Wayne Curry, Jim Graves, Virgil Williams, Glynn Ham, Tom Goggans, Derwin Tatum, Duane McEnturff, Elvie Clewis and Willie Birdsong.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be directed towards Elkhart Food Pantry, P.O. Box 690, Elkhart, Texas 75839 or The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.

Funeral services for Joe Billy Burris are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

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