Hazel Burris

Hazel Lorene (Stair) Burris, 88, died in Jacksonville, Florida on March 15, 2010. She was born October 14, 1921, in East Lynne, Missouri, to Peter and Susie Stair.
Hazel graduated from East Lynne High School in 1939 and attended Kansas City Business College. She married Otha Marvin Burris on February 7, 1942, the same day he joined the Navy. Except for a brief period during World War 2 and during the last 3 years of her life, she was a life-long resident of Missouri. She moved to Harrisonville from Independence with her husband and two children in 1952 and lived there continuously until May 2007. For many years Hazel worked in the office keeping books in support of her husband?s business, Marvin Burris Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealership. Hazel was very active in the Harrisonville community with the Delvers Federated Club, Harrisonville Fine Arts Association, PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Ladies Golf Association, and a charter member of Twin Pines Country Club where she was an active golfer. She was a member of the Harrisonville United Methodist Church.
Hazel was a talented china painter whose art won many awards at local and state competitions. Another favorite pastime was playing bridge with her dear friends. She was involved in politics serving as Chair of the Cass County Democratic Party and was twice a delegate to the National Democratic convention. Her leadership was recognized by receiving the Harry Truman Montage Award as outstanding Democrat in 1978, being named Missouri Federations Democratic Woman of the Year in 1992 and Cass County Democrat of the Year in 2000. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Marvin, and two brothers, Clarence and Murl J., and a sister, Velma Strickfaden. She is survived by a son, Gary Marvin Burris and his wife, Gail, of Manning, South Carolina, a daughter, Connie Sue Hodges and her husband, Bill, of Jacksonville, Florida, four grandsons, Gregory Burris and his wife Stephanie of Monroe, North Carolina, Garrett Burris of Kansas City, David and Mark Hodges of Jacksonville, Florida, and three great granddaughters, Katelyn, Abigail, and Kinsley Burris of Monroe, North Carolina.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 22, 2010, at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with burial in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Family received friends Monday, March 22, 2010 at the funeral home.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the United Way.