Geraldine B Burch

1931-2016

On the evening of April 25, 2016, Geraldine Bryan Burch, age 84, passed away after a full, blessed life.

Geraldine was born in Elba, Alabama on October 21, 1931 to the late Ruby Lee Crocker Bryan and Dewey Chester (Bill) Bryan. As the oldest of three children, she found her maternal instincts young. She met and married the love of her life, A.J. Burch, and had two children, Dannie and Billy (Bam). In 1954, they moved to Pensacola to work at Chemstrand and to raise their family. For many years she worked for Chemstrand, spent a few years working in shoe sales and wore many hats for Burch Laboratory.

She was not only a loving mother, but also a best friend to her children. Every Saturday was spent making fried chicken, okra, collard greens and fried green tomatoes fresh from her garden for the golf group that would gather at her house. If it was a Saturday in the fall, it was followed by watching an Alabama football game and eating one of her many famous cobblers.

Geraldine was the number one fan of not only her son’s baseball teams, but also her granddaughter Alli’s softball teams. She could be seen at every home game sitting behind home plate keeping score on her note pad. She also enjoyed many other sports, from fishing with her husband to bowling in a league with her best friends. Geraldine delighted in being a member of the Red Hat Society.

She was a faithful, long-time member of Plainview Baptist Church, where she for a time chaired the hospitality committee, enjoying every minute of it. She received many blessings while worshipping at Plainview, including last year when the pastor, Pastor Bill Flannigan, conducted the marriage ceremony of her granddaughter.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, A.J. Burch, daughter Dannie Viann Burch Moye and sister-in-law, Brunice Bryan. She is survived by her son, Billy Bryan Burch (Linda), granddaughter, Allison Burch Skelton (Charles), sister Dot Milner (John) and brother, Rex Bryan.

Memorial donations may be made to Plainview Baptist Church, American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, Florida 32534. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola.

Special thanks to Laura Jefferson, Wanda Calland and Nancy O’Neil for not only taking care of her so well, but for loving her so well. Thanks to the entire staff and residents of Summer Vista for giving Geraldine a beautiful place to enjoy with her family. Gratitude to the staff of Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice for their comfort, kindness and care.

Arrangements under the direction of Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, Pensacola, FL.