Lela Mae Burris

Lela Mae Hall was born on July 18, nineteen hundred and thirty seven to proud parents, Bulah Mae Philips Hall and Herbert Hall in Hope, Arkansas. She was the oldest daughter of 11 children. She had five brothers, HV, Ulacee, James, Walter, and Luther. She also had five sisters, Bertha Mae, Clara Mae, Dorothy, Willie V. and Sheila.

Lela married Robert Lee Burris, the love of her life, in 1955 and had two daughters, Eva Mae and Lorraine. The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1959 where they added three more daughters to their union, Mary Louise, Barbara Jean and Denise Michelle. She was a loving and protective stay-at-home mother until her last child married n 1987, as well as a devoted wife for 33 years.

Lela accepted Christ at an early age and served in various churches as a Deaconess, Choir Member, Soloist, and as a member of the Mothers Board. Lela was loved by all who knew her and will forever be remembered for her love of God and her participation in the things of the Lord. She could often be seen at her local Wal-Mart, Burger King and riding the city bus with Bible in hand, dressed in her Sunday best, letting her light for Christ shine. She greeted everyone with a smile and one of her many terms of endearment, such as "honey" and "sweetheart." She also never left a scene without extending her loving salutation, "God bless you, honey." Though she never really held a position in formal employment, to her credit as a full-time mom, she raised five daughters, bringing them up in the Lord, having lost none to the trappings of the world as she firmly believed and held strong to the word of her God. Her legacy and testimony will forever be proof positive that when you "train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart form it." Proverbs 22:6.

Lela was a soldier in the army of the Lord and on September 15th two thousand and ten, she laid down her sword to study war no more and is now gone home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, leaving to cherish her memory, her five loving daughters and son-in-laws, Eva and Robert Sterling, Lorraine and Raymond Gulley, Mary and Said Aden, Barbara and Kenneth Samuels, and Denise and Donavan McKendell. She also leaves a legacy behind of fourteen grandchildren, Robert J. Sterling, LaTeaca Sterling, Rashaun Gully Pratt, Nicole Gulley, Tonica Callis, Kadir Aden, Kenneshia Samuels, LaTisha Jones, Jimmy Ray, III, Day'vione Ray, Jerrame Ray, Donavan McKendell, II., and Hunter McKendell; five brothers and sisters, Ulacee Hall, HV Hall, Luther Hall, Dorothy Phillips, and Willie V. Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews other family members and friends.

Lela is now reunited with her mother, Bulah; her father, Herbert; her brothers, James and Walter; her sisters, Bertha Mae and Clara Mae; and her former husband, Robert, who are now joining in rejoicing with the angels at her homecoming. All praises, glory and honor, be to our Lord.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 20, 2010 from 4-7 p.m. at People's Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Last Days Ministries Church, 125 1/2 Larish in Lemoore, CA. Burial will follow at Hanford Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of People's Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St, Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584-5591.