Stella Lee Burleson, 96, of Johnson City, TN, passed away peacefully at the Hermitage Health & Rehab Center in Elizabethton, TN, on January 16th, 2026. Born on August 10, 1929, in Roan Mountain, TN, Stella lived a grace-filled life of love and devotion to family, church and friends. She never met a stranger and those who knew her loved her dearly.

Stella was the beloved wife of the late Clarence Burleson, Sr., and mother of Kenneth Lee and Clarence, Jr., nicknamed Chuck.  She was the second daughter of Homer and Dovie Gouge, as well as daughter-in-law of Oscar and Bertha Burleson.

In her early years, Stella went to nursing school and became a licensed practical nurse. She worked for several years at Johnson City Memorial Hospital before moving to Fairfax, VA, in 1965. In Fairfax, she managed the office for her husband's construction business and later worked in two Fairfax County school cafeterias to be close to her sons.

In the late 70s, Stella and Clarence renovated a beautiful home on Pine Street near ETSU in Johnson City. In 1980, they moved from Virginia back to Johnson City, to live and care for Clarence's father. They became contributing members of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in the same neighborhood where both grew up. Stella followed her mother's thirty-year service as church custodian at Cedar Grove and served in that role for forty years.

Stella is survived by her son Ken and his wife Marlene, grandson Nicholas and wife Wendy Burleson, great granddaughters Genevieve and Gabrielle Burleson; her son Chuck and his wife Terri; her sisters Mildred (Paul) Wood and Sonya (Gary) Rice, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Nathan Eric Burleson, parents Homer Baxter Gouge and Dovie Gertrude Street Gouge, sisters Norma Jean Blalock, Geraldine (Babe) Cansler, Edna Pearl Massey, Shirley Dean Swink, and brother Donald Gouge.

. Graveside services will be conducted at Roselawn Memory Gardens at 1:00 on Saturday. February 14, 2026, 3033 S. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN, 37601. Meet at the Cemetery at 12:50 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 353 Cedar Grove Road, Johnson City, TN, 37601.