Eleanor Lee Gears, 79

CHESTERTOWN, MD - Eleanor Lee Gears, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. She was 79. Mrs. Gears was born on March 6, 1929, daughter of the late Arthur and Helen Shinn Burris. She was raised in Kent County and in 1963 moved to Kingstown. For several years she worked for Maryland National Bank, and for 28 years at Lamotte Chemical, retiring in 1995. Her memberships include, Christ United Methodist Church and their choir, Millington V.F.W. Post 652 Ladies Auxiliary, the Red Hat Society, and Kent County Homemakers. She enjoyed traveling and line dancing. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, James G. Gears, in 1985; and three brothers, Franklin, John, and Bruce Burris. Mrs. Gears is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Sue Ellers and Kenneth, of Magnolia, Patricia L. Whitehill and Michael, of Centreville, Md., and Mary Beth Wiltbank and Franklin, of Chestertown, Md.; a brother, William R. Burris, of Ellicott City, Md.; three sisters, Mary Lou Jones, and Betty Burris, both of Chestertown, Md., and Sara Ostrowske, of Baltimore, Md.; three grandchildren, Dennis K. Atkinson Jr, Tyler Thomas Wiltbank, and Hayden James Wiltbank; and two great-granddaughters, Amber N. Atkinson, and Khrystyn Darling. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday evening in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St., Galena, Md., where funeral will be 2 p.m. Sunday. Burial in Chester Cemetery, Chestertown, Md. In the memory of Mrs. Gears, donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 1821 University Ave. West, Suite S 256, St. Paul, MN 55104; or a charity of your choice.