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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., December 12, 2002, page 18

DORA BURRIS

Dora Johnson Burris died Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2002, in Vancouver, from congestive heart failure at the age of 86 years.
Mrs. Burris was born at home on a farm near Plankinton, S.D., on Dec. 17, 1915. At the age of 18, she married Merle Robert Johnson. In 1938, the couple pulled a homemade trailer house behind a 1933 Ford V-8 to Yakima. Three years later, they moved to Trout Lake. Mrs. Burris started the valley sewing club and joined the Trout Lake Presbyterian Church. For entertainment, the couple played pinochle every Saturday night. Mrs. Burris served as school room mother for each of her children. In addition, she was a cub scout den mother, led 4-H clubs and taught many young girls to sew, including all three daughters. She taught Sunday School and Bible School every year she lived in Trout Lake. She was an active member of the Trout Lake Grange and held many different leadership positions.
In 1957, Mrs. Burris' life took another turn. Her husband was injured in a logging accident and she began to work outside the home. First she was a waitress at the local cafe in Trout Lake. Then she became a clerk in the National Forest Service, working for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In 1966, her husband of 33 years died suddenly from cancer. Three years later she moved to Vancouver, Washington where she continued to work for the National Forest Service until she retired in 1981.
In Vancouver, Washington she joined the Columbia Presbyterian Church. She was an Elder in the church and led many adult and senior education groups. She also continued her grange activities. She became a member of the American Contract Bridge League and played duplicate bridge for over 20 years at the Fort Vancouver Bridge Club every Friday. In 1970, she fulfilled a lifetime dream and enrolled in college. She began with an evening class each semester at Vancouver Junior College. Then in 1981, she enrolled in Evergreen College as a full time student. In 1983, she graduated from Evergreen at the age of 68 years old with a degree in gerontology. At her graduation, she was recognized as Evergreen's oldest college graduate.
In June, 2000 she remarried to William Burris.
Mrs. Burris is survived by her husband, William Burris; one sister and one brother, children Julia, Elaine, Aaron and Sylvia, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 at the Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver.
Memorials may be made to the Columbia Presbyterian Church Elevator Fund.

The Columbian, Vancouver, WA., December 3, 2002, page C4

Dora C.J. Burris
Vancouver

Dora Callison Johnson Burris died Nov. 28, 2002, in Vancouver of congestive heart failure. She was 86.
Mrs. Burris was born Dec. 17, 1915, near Plankinton, S.D. She moved to Yakima in 1938 and three years later, they moved to Trout Lake, Wash.
Mrs. Burris was a waitress and later a clerk for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Her husband of 33 years, Merle Johnson, died in 1966.
In the late 1960s she moved to Vancouver, where she continued to work for the Forest Service until she retired in 1981.
In Vancouver she was a member and elder of Columbia Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the American Contract Bridge League and played duplicate bridge for more than 20 years at Fort Vancouver Bridge Club every Friday.
In 1981 she enrolled at The Evergreen State College as a full time student.
In 1983, when she was 68, she graduated from Evergreen with a degree in gerontology. At her graduation, she was recognized as Evergreen's oldest college graduate.
Survivors include her husband, William Burris; at home; one sister; one brother; four children; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was Monday at Columbia Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church elevator fund.