Iris Burleson, age 92, of Spruce Pine, passed on to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at her home.
Born on January 10, 1928 in the Red Hill community of Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Roscoe and Margie Roberts Garland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother; Floyd Garland, her husband, Lloyd Francis Burleson who passed away in 2015; her sister, Evelyn Hall; and two step mothers; Elizabeth Tipton Garland and Elmira Byrd Garland.
The Garland family moved to the Altapass community of Spruce Pine when Iris was a child and Altapass is where her heart always remained. Iris was a graduate of Harris High School in 1944 and she was the Valedictorian of her class. She attended Western Carolina University, where she was a member of Alpha Beta Sigma. Iris worked as a secretary for Mitchell Distributing Company for ten years after college.
Throughout her life, Iris nurtured all of those around her with her gentle, loving nature, her generous spirit and her Christian heart. As a lifelong member of the Altapass Baptist Church, Iris served as Secretary/Treasurer to the church for fifty-five plus years. She also taught Sunday School, was a member of the W.M.U., and served on the NC Baptist Convention Board for two years. In the 60’s, Iris was active in the Blind Ministry, handing out Bibles on tape to the area’s blind population. It was both her passion and job to serve the Lord in every way possible.
In 1976, Iris has a dream about the ‘Power of a Single Penny’. Since that day, she saved all of her pennies and prayed over each one to multiply. Soon afterwards, her friends and family heard of her penny fund, and gave her all of their pennies. Iris used this special fund throughout the years to help others in need. This was her personal penny mission.
Her hobbies included gardening and working in her flowers, capturing family memories through photographs, keeping records, and doting over her two cats; Luke and Leah. She also enjoyed collecting butterfly and angel figurines.
Iris is survived by her two daughters; Debra Mills and husband, Buzz of Encinitas, Ca and Jackie Burleson of Charlotte, NC; her brother, Herbert Garland of Fairfax, VA; her sister-in-law, Agnes Burleson of Spruce Pine; as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored. Iris had three special caregivers; Mike Collis, Amy Street, and Grace Meyerhoffer, who all took loving care of her and are considered part of her beloved family.
Private Graveside services for the family of Iris Burleson will be on Friday, May 8, 2020 with Dr. Marcus Benfield officiating.
The family is grateful for the care and compassion which Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge provided to both Iris and her family. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor the memory of Iris are asked to do so by donating to this wonderful organization; Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com., selecting Iris Burleson’s name and then you may sign her guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Burleson family.
Mrs. Burleson’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
