Mrs. Luella Burton Ross affectionately called “Baby Sister” was born January 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee to Theodore Burton Sr. and Etter Spears Burton.

She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend W. M. Mitchell. Luella attended Richard B. Harrison High School.

After school she moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1959 and live there until she moved back to Blytheville, Arkansas in 1974. Shortly after moving back to Blytheville, Arkansas she united with Progressive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend L. B. Burton and current Pastor Anthony Burton.

Luella worked for over 20 years as a nurse assistant at Keith Acres Nursing Home, Blytheville, Arkansas until the business closed. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, spending time with family, watching wrestling and those long talks on the phone with her brothers, sisters and grandchildren, especially Kristy Talley who would call her daily.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, L. D. Burton, Reverend L. B. Burton, Willie Burton, Henry Burton, Joseph Burton, Theodore Burton Jr. and Waverly “W.B.” Burton, two sisters, Marilyn Burton and Etter Orr. On Sunday December 22, 2024, Luella departed this life at her home.

She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Fabian Ross Sr. of Clarksville, Tennessee and Wille D. (Rosaida) Ross of Dolton, Illinois; four daughters, Linda Whitfield, Barbara Whitfield, Verlica Ross all of Blytheville, Arkansas and Benita Brown of Harvey, Illinois; two brothers, Mingo (Gloria) Burton of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Vernon (Ulrike) Burton Sr. of Blytheville, Arkansas, two sisters, Shirley (Herman) Haynes and Linnie Jones both of Chicago, Illinois; twenty-five grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, great- great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held of Friday, January 3, 2025, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Progressive Missionary Church, 800 West McHaney Dr., Blytheville, AR.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 12:00 noon at First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 East McHaney Dr. Blytheville, AR where Reverend Odale Jones is the pastor.

Pastor Anthony Burton will deliver the eulogy with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mhfuneralhomeinc. or visit us on Facebook at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of services and arrangements.