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Condolences:
Amy VanSickle Grissinger
Nana Ruth was such a sweet lady. She was always so sweet to Caleb and I. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers for her family and loved ones.
Susan Dunn
Aunt Ruth will be missed. Condolences to her family and friends. She was my Dads siter, my Aunt, always smiling and sweet to me. See you on the other side Ruthie!
Linda Chaplin
Kevin Anderson
I met Ms. Ruth later in her life and I can tell you she was warm and always had a smile for me. She was a classy lady full of stories about choir practice and her many activities at Springhill Baptist Church. Ms. Ruth was a ray of sunshine in this life and I will truly miss her very much. I'm very glad she's made it to heaven!
John and Vicki Cooper
Shirley, Vicki and I are truly sorry for you and your families loss. I remember her as a classy lady ready with smile and a laugh and throwing birthday parties. She will be missed.
Holly Taylor
Ruth Burkhart
2025-02-14
Ruth Thornton Burkhart passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Ruth was born July 8, 1928 and was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Lee Thornton, the father of her four children.
She was a member of Springhill Baptist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. She was involved in the bus ministry outreach and was involved in AWANA’s through her church for many years, as well.
Her love of children was evident as she operated a home day care center and cared for many young children in the area. She was also a big part of baseball concessions and fundraising for the Fernandina Beach High School marching band among other activities.
She leaves behind her husband of 37 years, Howard J. Burkhart; her daughters, Patricia Thirsk, Peggy Davis and Shirley Strawn; her son, Robert (Bobby) Thornton, Jr., her 12 grandchildren, Jan Parrish, Robert Parrish, Joe Parrish, John Parrish, John Davis, Jr (Lucy), Jennie Davis Bentle (Todd), Jeremiah Strawn (Stephanie), Jesse Strawn, Jacob Strawn (Christie), Joseph Strawn (Amy), Angela Thornton and Robert Brian Thornton; 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren.
A service to remember and celebrate Ruth’s life will be held Thursday, February 20, 2025 beginning at 11:00 AM at Springhill Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Winburn officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM.
Rather than flowers the family asks that donations be made, in her memory, to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Community Hospice.
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