Ruthie Mae (Whitfield) Byrd Burnett

Ruthie Mae Whitfield Byrd Burnett was born on March 23, 1949 in Candler County, Georgia, to the late Ozzie and Mattie Page Whitfield.  She entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Eagle Health & Rehabilitation in Statesboro, Georgia.  

At an early age, she joined Thankful Missionary Baptist Church, Metter, Georgia.  Later, she joined Lester Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Swainsboro, Georgia and then C.H. Haynes Restoration Church of God In Christ, East Dublin, Georgia where she served on the mother board.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Salandra Byrd; brothers, Clarence Whitfield and Arthur Whitfield; one grandson, Cameron Scott. 

Ruthie was a 1967 graduate of Lillian Street High School, Metter, Georgia.  She attended Emanuel County Junior College, now currently named, East Georgia State College, to further her education.  She was employed at Laurens County Board of Education in the maintenance department before transferring to Houston County Board of Education after relocating to Warner Robins, Georgia.  Ruthie was also a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.

Ruthie loved attending church and traveling with her church, especially to the Holy Land. She was an avid fundraiser for the church and the schools that her grandchildren attended. Ruthie was devoted to all of her family in their times of need and never missed family events. She loved traveling with her sister to the Henry Family Reunions. 

She leaves to cherish fond memories one daughter, Ms. Marchette Byrd of Warner Robins, Georgia; two sons, Mr. Curtis Byrd (Dr. Aree) of Warner Robins, Georgia and Mr. Ryan Burnett of San Antonio, Texas; three grandsons she raised as her own, Mr. Joshua Byrd and Mr. Damien Byrd of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Mr. Ashton Scott of Warner Robins, Georgia; two sisters, Ms. Amy W. Henry and Ms. Canary J. Whitfield both of Metter, Georgia; one brother, Mr. Grady Whitfield (Mrs. Frances) of Decatur, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Ms. Henrietta G. Whitfield of Statesboro, Georgia; one aunt, Ms. Ruby Seymour Sullivan of Clearwater, Florida; seven grandchildren, Curtis, Jamal, Jahshua, Makiya, Tiana, Jadyn and Miracle; two great grandchildren, Re-ante and Rekayia; a devoted cousin, Ms. Mamie W. Humphries of Statesboro; a devoted classmate and friend, Ms. Jewel L. Wilkerson of Metter; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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