Betty Ellen Bates Burris, 78, of Riceville, died Monday, June 21, 2010 at her residence. A native of Lynch, Kentucky and resident of McMinn County for more than 50 years, she was a daughter of the late L.J. and Hester Lillard Bates. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Delmer L. Burris; and four sisters, Evelyn McConkey, Agnes Young, Kathryn Green and Anna Ruth Bates. Survivors include three children and their spouses, Gail Underdown and Husband Dennis of Etowah, Richard Burris and his wife Eva of Calhoun, and Cathy Moser and her husband Mitch of Durham, N. Carolina; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Edward Bates of Benton; two sisters and brother-in-law, Inez Ballew, and Alice and Charles Hunt, all of Etowah; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010 at McMinn Memory Gardens with speaker Dennis Bordwine officiating. Dennis Underdown, Mitch Moser, Josh Underdown, Terry King, Wayne King and Cody King will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 23rd at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 923 Ohio Ave., Etowah, TN 37331.