The Funeral will be held on Friday, April 22nd at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL officiated by Dr. Ken Dunivant and Dr. Clinton Hubbard with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider directing, preceded by visitation at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.
Mrs. Burch was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Howell Thornhill, her adoptive father, Ernest Peyton Thornhill, and biological father, J.P. Wetherbee.
She is survived by her husband Donald Jean Burch Sr., whom she was married to for 73 years; her children Donald J. Burch Jr. (Rachel) and Richard A. Burch (Vicki); grandchildren Lauren Wetmore (Griffin), Grace Strobino (Jay), Caroline Burch and Rita Elizabeth Burch; step-grandchildren Jay Cantley and Laura Jones; great-grandchildren Tucker, Georgia, and Darby Wetmore; step-great-grandchild Benjamin Jones; sisters Charlotte Trammel and Syrena Beall (Charles); nephew Brian Beall (Pam); niece Stephanie Vander Noot (Marty); cousin Martha Robertson (Jim).
Mrs. Burch was born on August 17, 1930 in Marion, AL. She attended Mississippi State College for Women prior to her marriage to Don Burch. They were married in Marion, AL in June of 1949. Together they built a life around the world. No matter where they lived, Rita was quick to make it feel like home and make new, life-long friends.
Rita loved a good celebration. Whether it was a festive holiday or a small gathering of friends, she was always a gracious host. Rita loved to golf, almost as much as she loved the 19th hole. She was fun with a quick wit, always determined, and put her family before everything else in her life. And because of this, she touched everyone she met. Her notes, cards, clippings, and calls were always personal and made everyone who was lucky enough to know her feel special.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the DCH Foundation or Folds of Honor.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com for the Burch family.
