Obituary of Christopher Earb Burrell

Chris E. Burrell, retired farmer, went home to be with the Lord and his wife of 65 years, Emma Lou Fowler Burrell (deceased) on August 29, 2017. Chris was born on December 5, 1921 to Lunie Burrell and Susan Nicholson Burrell of Village Creek community near Mountain Rest, South Carolina; he was 95 years old at the time of his death. Chris lived in Panthertown Valley as a young boy and was knowledgeable of life in that region during the logging era. Chris was a graduate of Tamasee DAR School. He was a World War II Veteran having served in the US Navy. Chris his wife and children moved to Tuckasegee in the late 40s where he later built his home and lived. Chris had three brothers (Otto, Jack, and Frank) and four sisters (Emma, Marguerite, Janie and Agnes). Chris' brothers and sisters remained close and supportive of each other throughout the years. They gathered at all major holidays and greatly enjoyed these family reunion times. His brother Frank Burrell lives in Greenville, SC with wife Kaye, his sister Janie B. Fowler lives in Glenville, NC (Franklin Fowler, deceased), and his sister-in-law, Myra D. Burrell (wife of Jack) lives in Easley, SC. All other brothers and sisters and spouses are deceased. Chris has nine nieces and nephews who live in various locations throughout the southeast region of the US. Chris remarried in 2011 but was living at his home in Tuckasegee, NC with his four children at the time of his brief illness and death. He enjoyed his last four months in Tuckasegee with many visits from his friends, family, and community members on the front porch of his beloved Hilltop Farm. Chris and Emma Lou had four children: Frank Burrell (wife, Louise, and son Marc of Clayton, NC; Elizabeth B. Balcerek (husband, Jim and son Christopher of Palmer, Alaska and Katherine of Clinton, Tennessee); Virginia B. Milligan (husband, Michael (deceased), and Ann Ahles (husband, Mike and son, Shane Nottingham of Hendersonville, NC). Chris retired from Nantahala Power and Light Company after 32+ years; he was a retired Christmas tree grower in southern Jackson County, and raised cattle at his Hilltop Farm in Tuckasegee, NC. Chris was a devoted graduate of Tamasee DAR School in Salem, SC where he served as treasurer of the Alumni Association for many years. He worked tirelessly raising funds and investing so that the Alumni Association could help students continue their post-secondary education after their years at Tamasee. Chris over the years donated Christmas trees to the boarding school in support of faculty, staff, and students during the Christmas season. Chris was a member of the Tuckasegee Baptist Church for over 70 years. He helped build the current church building during the mid-50s and he and his crew built the second parsonage in the late 70s. He and Emma Lou were always active members of the church fellowship, where they enjoyed the weekly services and monthly church suppers full of food, fellowship and families coming together to enjoy one another in the Lord's house. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 31st, 2017 at 2pm in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home from 1:00 until 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Gardens. Military Rites will be conducted by Sylva American Legion Post 104 and Masonic Graveside Rites will follow.