Robert (Clay) Burruss

Mr. Robert (Clay) Burruss, age 90, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 P.M. Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, with interment to follow at Mt Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors. The Reverend Henry Loggins, will officiate. The family will receive friends from to 5 till 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Burruss was born May 28, 1921 in Habersham County and was the son of the late John Henry and Texie Belle (Cantrell) Burruss. He was a member of Corinth Baptist Church and also attended Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Clay joined the United States Army in 1942 serving in the European Theater and also in Okinawa, Japan . He was embedded with the 785th Military Police Battalion, an attachment of General Patton's 3rd. Army. During this time in 1942 he also married the love of his life, Sylvia,went to California and Michigan to be with him before he was sent to Europe . Mr. Burruss returned home choosing to become a poultry farmer and a carpenter. His greatest joy in life was his family. He dearly loved each of them, but it was his grandchildren, who affectionately call him Pa Pa , that made his eyes light up. Always eager to welcome them into his lap, he wanted to hear what they were doing. Clay took great pride in their accomplishments and would share them with others. When it comes to being a grandfather he was the perfect role model.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Robert Melvin Burruss; two brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Burruss is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Sylvia (Young) Burruss of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Allen Dockery of Watkinsville; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Shelia Burruss of Gainesville; daughter-in-law, Martha Burruss of Clermont; grandchildren, Melissa and Todd Smith of Watkinsville; Melony and Mike Burer of Dallas TX; Meredith and John Ford, Jason Michael Burruss and Justin Clay Burruss all of Gainesville; great-grandchildren; Emily, Jessica and Amanda Smith; Michael, Madeline and Maxwell Burer; and Emma Grace Ford, several nieces and nephews and other members of the Young family.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville , GA 30501 . 770-297-6200 or for online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.