Marsha Kathleen Burris

Marsha Kathleen Burris, 53, of Lamar and formerly of Nevada, died on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, in Joplin, following a lengthy illness. she was born on Sept. 5, 1956, of Lamar, Mo., to James Fred Vinson and Delera Irene Howard Vinson. On Sept. 21, 1987, she was married to Donald Burris, of Miami, Okla., and he preceded her in death on July 11, 2994.

Marsha was a graduate of Nevada High School in 1975. She worked at the Nevada Habilitation Center from 1977 until her retirement this year due to illness. Marsha spent all her life in Verno and Barton counties, having lived 16 years in Golden City prior to moving to Nevada.

Marsha is survived by two daughters, Kayla Burris, and Brittany Burris, both of Nevada; one granddaughter, Audrianna, and a granddaughter, Emily, due on Nov. 1; her mother Delera Vinson, of Lamar; two brothers, Donald Vinson and James Robert Vinson, both of Lamar; two sisters, Wanda Joyce Hunt and Carol Sue Smith, of Nevada, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband, Donald, she was preceded in death by her father; one sister Patricia Schmoranz; one nephew; and one great-nephew.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 17, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with the Rev. John Dille officiating. A private family committal will follow in Newton Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m., at the funeral home prior to the service.

Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.