Elma Katherine Shires Bussa

Elma Katherine Shires Bussa, 87, died September 22, 2013. A Raleigh resident for over 60 years, Kat, as she was affectionately called, was the office manager of the Wake County Unit of the American Cancer Society when she retired. As a dedicated mother and homemaker, she was a grade mother at Emma Conn Elementary, a den mother in Cub Scouts, active in the Woodcrest Garden Club and served on the altar guild at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas to William and Addie Myers, she married William Archer Shires of Jackson, Tennessee where they attended Lambuth College. Later in life she married James Bussa of New York. She is survived by her children: Kenneth Michael Shires (Terri) of Hillsborough, Elizabeth Shires Knight (Bill) of Allen, TX and Richard Paul Shires of Raleigh. Grandchildren: Sara Elizabeth Knight Gerkin of Reston, VA, Brandon Christopher Knight, Austin, TX and Jessica Shires Bunn of Clayton. Step-grandchildren: Kevin Ryan Page of Durham and Zachary David Page of Charlotte. Twin great grandchildren: Grayson Elizabeth Gerkin and Jackson Cole Gerkin. Great grandson: Easton Sydney Bunn. The Memorial Service will be Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home Chapel, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. As an alternative to flowers, memorial gifts made to the Wake County Unit of the American Cancer Society are especially welcome. The family wishes to extend heart-felt appreciation to the staff of Cambridge Hills Assisted Living, Roxboro and Liberty Hospice.