Riley Thomas Burris

Riley Thomas Burris, 13, of Old Fort, TN passed away Saturday, August 26, 2017 as the result of an automobile accident in Loudon County.  He was a kind, loving young man who loved everyone unconditionally.  He was a member of Boanerges Baptist Church.  His faith in our Heavenly Father was strong and he blessed every person he met. 

He was always quick with a smile or funny comment and his personality filled the room.  He volunteered at Life Care where his mother was employed.  His summers were spent going on mission trips to Memphis, TN with the youth group of Boanerges Baptist Church.   He loved being a part of the “Street Reach” and time he shared with the less fortunate children there. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Winnie Lynn Burris; step-grandfather, Alfred White; paternal great-grandparents, Tommy and Maxine Burris and Don and Ann Swann; maternal great-grandparents, Sam and Winnie Mantooth. 

He is survived by his father, Stephen Burris; brother, Devan Burris; sister, Suhmer Burris; grandparents, James and Linda Burris; grandmother, Gayla White; grandfather, Jimmy Johnson; sister by choice, Kylie Lewis.  Several aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and classmates also survive. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Boanerges Baptist Church in Old Fort, TN with Reverend David Disney and Reverend John Cain officiating.  Interment will follow in Ball Play Baptist Church Cemetery in Old Fort, TN. A white dove ceremony will conclude the service. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2017 and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2017 prior to the service at Boanerges Baptist Church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Eddie Lamb, Michael Stafford, Matthew Vineyard, Brandon McTaggart, Greg Johnson, Jesse Burdin, Toby Williams and Danny Williams.   Honorary pallbearers are Bo Frank, Alex Gibson, Cole Gibson, Peyton Nelms, Chase Bivens, Chandler Goins, Christian Smith, Nic Burdin and Brock Trew.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Burris family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.