Margaret Ruth Gardin-Burris

Margaret Ruth Gardin-Burris, 85, from Gastonia North Carolina, died August 14, 2010 in Allentown, PA. She was born in Gastonia on February 23, 1925, daughter of the late Hiram Luther and Beatrice Duff Gardin, and wife of the late Robert A. Burris.

She was a broker for North Carolina Mutual Insurance for many years. She was a lifelong member, Sunday school teacher, Adult Choir director, and a missionary of Friendship Baptist Church, Gastonia, where she headed many ministries receiving the Pastor's Certificate of Excellency in 1989.

She won the Ms. Senior Gaston County title twice, won the statewide crown for Ms. North Carolina Senior America in 1993, and was appointed Honorary Secretary of State. Mrs. Burris was local chapter NAACP President in 1989, and was selected Woman of the Year by the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc in 1993. In 1994 received the "Outstanding Citizen" award in the area of Senior Achievement from Gastonia Chapter of Las Amigas, Inc. and received many other awards and honors.

She will be lovingly remembered by her only child, Pastor Sondria Miller-Davis and her husband Deacon Karl E. Davis of Mount Pocono, PA; brothers, Bishop Osco E. Gardin, Charles K. Gardin, and Hiram L. Gardin; sisters, Mildred I. Dew, and Evelyn N. Massey; granddaughter, Major Mary-Margaret Ross, United States Army; and great grandchildren, Sondria-Lee, and Donald-Christian. Many nieces, nephews, relatives also survive her.

A brother, James Robert Gardin; and sisters, Anna Mae Minter and Martha Lucille Watkins preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to God's Covenant of Grace International Church, P.O. Box 172, Mount Pocono, PA 18344.