Burris Criswell
Burris E. Criswell, lovingly known as Paco to his grandchildren and close friends, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at his residence in Cleveland, Tennessee, at the age of 97.
He was born in Elida, New Mexico, on Feb. 5, 1921,and married Audrey Elder on Feb. 14, 1947.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Belle Thomas Criswell, five sisters, one brother, and his wife, Audrey Criswell.
He is survived by his son, Lany Criswell, daughters and sons in law, Lawana and Doyle Hughes, Rachel and Darrell Underwood and Rozan and Johnny McDaniel, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He and his wife worked together actively in the ministry for the Church of God of Prophecy for many years. During that time they pastored several churches in the state of Texas. Bishop Criswell also served as State Overseer in Alaska, Wisconsin, Northern New England, New Mexico and Southwest Texas.
He was a man of quiet strength and quick wit that prayed for this family everyday to be blessed with strength, wisdom and knowledge.
The Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Harris Chapel Church of God of Prophecy in Sugar Hill, Texas with Reverend Johnny McDaniel officiating. Interment will follow in the DeShields Cemetery in Sugar Hill with his grandsons, Spencer Hughes, Austin Hughes, Derek Underwood, Devin Underwood, Jared McDaniel, Josh McDaniel and Jeremy Criswell serving as casket bearers.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the service time at the Harris Chapel Church on Saturday. For the Cleveland family and friends, the family will receive friends on Thursday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the local arrangements.
The Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, Tx., 903-572-3621 has charge of the Texas arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Criswell family at www.jimrushfunerallhomes.com.