It is with the deepest personal sorrow and regret that we announce the death of the beloved Mary Gabe Magee Burris, widow of the late James M. Burris, who passed away at her Tenth avenue home at an early hour Monday morning. "Mother Burris" had been in failing health for several months, gradually losing ground though confined to her bed just intermittently until the past three weeks, when she was taking a complete rest in the hope of recuperating sufficiently to be up for the Christmas celebration with her family. Her heart became violently involved recently, and from tests and ministries of eminent heart specialists it became evident to her devoted and closely attentive children that the close of her beautiful and useful life might be expect at any time. Sunday she seemed to respond to treatment and became encouraged and buoyant, but in the quiet of the morning Monday, about 3 o'clock, she went peacefully to sleep without a struggle. This good woman was the second daughter of the late Hon. Wm. E. Magee and Mrs. Vanda Collins Magee, a pioneer couple of the parish. At the age of 18 she was married to the late Jas. M. Burris and to this union were born ten children, seven of whom are now living, all grown and married; twelve grand-children and four great grand-children, forming a happy family group around this adored mother. Funeral service was held at the Methodist church, of which she was a member since early girlhood, Rev. C. E. McLean, her tender and beloved pastor thru five years of her semi-invalidism, coming from his present home in Vivian, La., to conduct the sacred rites, and assisted by Rev. Booth and Rev. Compere, local pastors. Interment in the family lot in Ellis cemetery at 11:00 o'clock Tuesday morning. Mrs. Burris was a gracious, tender type of womanhood and a most estimable character. She was primarily a wife, a mother and a home maker. She was of a family of the "old school," and her home was the palce where her heart was always. A devoted wife and mother, she was naturally a good neighbor and friend to all with whom she came in contact, and her passing is a blow not only to those of her family who depended so devotedly upon her, but to countless ones who were close to her, and she will be greatly missed and mourned by the whole community. She was "seventy years young," and always a happy inspiration to her children and among her friends. Surviving her are to prominent sons: W. J. Burris, president and general manager of firm of Burris Bros. Ltd., and W. S. Burris, cashier of the Washington Bank & Trust Co.; Five daughters, Mesdames H. E. Richardson, L. V. Stringer and George D. Moore of Franklinton, Mrs. A. E. Hood of Amite and Mrs. H.O. Simmons of Magnolia; Three sisters and two brothers survive, Mrs. I. J. Green, Enon, and Mesdames T. M. Babington and D. T. Bickham of Franklinton; M. J. Magee and W. E. Magee, Franklinton. Floral offerings came from far and near enough to decorate every mound in the silent city, showing the love felt for the most honored of earth's creatures, "The Ideal Mother."
