12/16/2020
I've wanted to pay a tribute to this remarkable woman and today, December 16th her birthday, is the right time to honor her. I don't know how to put it in words, but I'm just going to speak from my heart. Peninnah Ruth Nalls Burkhaulter, "Ruth" came into my family's life in August 1978, my first born son John was 7 months old. She told me in the interview, "if you hire me, you want ever have to worry about me leaving." Well, that was the start of our relationship and for over 42 years she was part of my family. She was a faithful, loyal and quite a humorous person with an uncanny way with children.
My first born son John, was no problem. He was a normal baby. But along came Will. He was a "Blue Baby", born with a heart defect and had to undergo open heart surgery when he was 21 days old. Will stayed sick for the first 6 years of his life with digestive issues, breathing problems, allergies and to say the least, it was difficult times. Ruth would hold him while I drove him to Amory, Ms. to see Dr. Stockton. She would spend nights, staying up with Will allowing us to get a night's sleep. Ruth was a godsend, Truly a Gift from above for our Family. Then came Daniel. Such a perfect baby. He didn't want to start school because he want to stay home with Ruth. And, not only did she take care of our Family, she was raising a daughter, Elizabeth and taking care of her parents, Malachi & Ruth Nalls.
Ruth never learned to drive. For years I would pick her up every morning and take her home every afternoon. Later, her brother Moses or one of her sisters, Faye or Frances would bring her to my home.
Ruth enjoyed the time she spent in Hamilton with her Daughter Elizabeth Son-in-Law Tony and her 2 granddaughter, Leah and Jessie. Ruth was very religious and devoted to her Church.
She died October 5, 2020. In her obituary she listed my children and grand children as hers, and I was honored to be a Pallbearer, along with my 3 sons.
There is so much more that I could say,
Good Bye Ruth Burkhaulter, I Love You and Miss You, and cherish your memories forever.
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