From Gauss and his Children

Obituary

Elizabeth S. Burchsted

Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons Burchsted, 85, 126 Thomas Lincoln Place, Elizabethton, formerly of Clinton, lovingly known to her family as Johns, and her friends as Betty, passed away Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at her residence following an extended illness. G Mrs. Burchsted was born in Miami, Fla., on May 18, 1922, to the late Arnold and Lois Gauss Simmons. During WWII she lived with her husband, the late Clifford A. Burchsted in several places before they settled in Clinton, when he was hired at Union Carbide in Oak Ridge. Mrs. Burchsted made her home in Clinton until two years ago when she moved to Elizabethton.

Mrs. Burchsted was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton, where she sang in the choir and served the church in many ways. She was a stenographer during her career, although she was a homemaker much of her life. She was a member of the Timely Topics Club and the Garden Club in Clinton. She was an avid bridge player and was a member of a bridge club. She was a volunteer at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center.

Johns loved to travel, garden, read and be with people. For those who were lucky enough to know her gentle spirit, loving acceptance and generous nature, she will be dearly missed. She loved all animals and was particularly fond of cats. She leaves behind her beloved cats, Jazzy and Bianca.

Johns is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Robert Chambless, Raymore, Mo.; one niece, Susan Chambless, Maryland Heights, Mo.; five nephews, Robert S. Chambless and his wife, Jenifer, Simpson, Ill., Paul Chambless and his wife Linda, Fenton, Mo., John Chambless, Raymore, Mo., Craig Burchsted and his wife Sandy, Friendswood, Texas, and Kent Burchsted and his wife Patty, Houston, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Burchsted, Nassua Bay, Texas and Althea Myrbeck, Westbrook, Maine; special cousins, Mary Etta Elliott and Bob Schaff, with whom she made her home, Elizabethton; Carol Ann and Woody Taylor, Columbia, S.C.; Elizabeth and Rudy Carver, Phoenix, Ariz.; Rusty and Teresa Shadoan, Birmingham, Ala.; special friends, Chuck and Ellie Greene, Knoxville, Georgia Verble, Phyllis Johnson, Vaughn and Brenda Hutson, all of Clinton, Ruth and Bruce Ferguson, New Mexico and Paul and Elaine Mottern, Elizabethton. Several other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

A memorial service for Mrs. Burchsted will be held in Clinton at the Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Laurence Hesser officiating. Arrangements will be announced at a later date. It was Mrs. Burchsted's wish that memorial donations be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 323 North Main Street, Clinton, TN, 37716 or Peaceful Kingdom, C/O Angel Wings Cat Rescue Fund, P.O. Box 16230, Knoxville, TN 37996. Condolences may be sent to the family by signing the guest book at [1], or by fax 423 542-9499. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the family. The office phone is 423 542-2232. The obituary line is 423 543-4917.

Sunset Cemetery: ( 36° 5'49.14"N, 84° 8'34.50"W)

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