Phyllis Joann Burruss

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother and "Granny", Phyllis Joann Burruss on Saturday, May 28, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the youngest child born to Anton and Anna (Prelesnick) Bileck on February 9, 1932 in Pleasant Valley, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Burruss grew up in Pleasant Valley and Okmulgee, Oklahoma where she graduated from Saint Anthony High School in 1949. Following graduation, she attended Tulsa Business School where she earned her bookkeeping certification. She was employed by Gaines Propane in Okmulgee and by local department stores to model their latest fashions for newspaper advertisements.

She was married to James Burruss on December 28, 1957 in Okmulgee. She was a devoted wife and loving mother of their three children, Bentley, Becky, and Bethany. They retired to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 2007 and were married for 54 years.

Because of her unwavering love for God and her faith in Him, she loved everyone. Her ministry in life was being a prayer warrior for her family and friends, and people she never met. She used her sewing talents to create clothing for her family, banners, and garments used by priests during special church events, and handmade craft items for fundraising events. She was an excellent cook who loved to host family dinners and assist with church events. She also prepared food for the sick and grieving, and for the hungry summer camp participants. She loved sharing from her flower and vegetable gardens, and she volunteered for several years as an ombudsman at a local nursing home getting to know the residents and helping with their needs. Throughout her life, she has been a living example of the scripture passage found in Proverbs 31:25-31. Her loving and peaceful spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mrs. Burruss was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marguerite (Averon) Parrish; her brother Anton (Nancy) Bileck, Jr.; her husband, James Burruss, and her son, Bentley Burruss.

She is survived by her daughters, Becky Miller of Bartlesville and Bethany (Steven) Meyer of Tulsa; granddaughters Anna (Brennan) McSweeney of Hawaii and Sarah (Derek) Close of Ochelata; grandsons Mason (Lauren) Meyer of Tulsa, Damon Burruss of Owasso, Dalton Miller of Bartlesville, and Daniel (Hannah) Brown of Joplin, Missouri; great-grandsons Beau and Brooks Close; great-granddaughter Nora Meyer; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Okmulgee Cemetery, 2601 S Wood Drive (U.S. Highway 75), Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, you can carry on her mission of loving others by sending a contribution to your local food bank or homeless shelter or send up a prayer for all veterans, nursing home residents, and the homeless. If you have living parents and/or grandparents, please give them a call and tell them you love them.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care Centers. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family online, www.schaudtfuneralservice.com