Mrs. Ruby Lee Burnett

Mrs. Ruby Burnett was peacefully called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, October 26, 2012. She was born in Okolona, Mississippi on February 6, 1934 to Caleb and Patsy Fields Sr. She received Christ at an early age. Later she followed the path of her oldest brother Caleb and moved to Kalamazoo, MI, 1950’s. She met and married the love of her life, James L. Burnett on May 12, 1952 and became a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church. They were blessed with seven children and raised them in Comstock, where Ruby served as an active member on the school board, leader of the PTA, athletic and band booster club, Comstock VFW and was a strong supporter of Comstock Community Theater. Everyone knew her as "Mamma Ruby" or "Miss Rube". Her greatest value in life was love and the love of giving to all God’s children. Regardless of who you are or what you are, she would embrace you and take you in her heart as one of her own. Mamma Ruby kept a large cedar chest full of gifts for every age. When you came to her home for the first time, you would leave with a gift of appreciation and her words, “Thank you for blessing my home with your presence. Next time consider yourself family”. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, because it was a season of giving and expressing her love. Gifts had to be wrapped in perfection, when making the appetizer tray for company; you MUST follow the rule, “No broken crackers on the cheese tray!” Everything had to be “perfect”. Did I mention she made a mean peach cobbler and sweet potato pie? Mmmm, folks raced to get their order in! Later, she worked as evening supervisor for Kalamazoo Public Schools for 10 yrs; then retired to spend more time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She touched the lives of many, we will all miss that smile, the laughter, and the special attention she gave to each of us. She is preceded in death by, her parents, Caleb and Patsy Fields Sr.; husband, James Burnett Sr.; 2 sons, Stanley and Dexter Burnett, 2 brothers; Caleb Sr. and William Fields; 3 brother in laws, Art Poplar, Fred Burnett and Lindsey Brown; father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Luedora Larthridge; and 2 sister-in-laws, Dora Brown and Annie (Burnett) Boyd. Mamma Ruby leaves to celebrate her homegoing and cherish her life by continuing the spirit of love and giving: 5 children, Gary (Gina) Burnett, Gwen (James) Garrison, Charmane (Terry) Wilson, Patsy Burnett, and James Burnett Jr.; adopted in love, Lillian Baker and Joseph Albeo; daughters-In-law, Christine, Iola, and Hiroe Burnett; 1 brother, James (Ruby) Fields; 2 sisters, Quella (Bishop Tommie) Lockett and Pearline (Bishop Eugene) McCoy, 4 sisters-in-law, Mable Moncrief, Mamie T. Burnett, Rosie Fields and like a mother-to-all, Mattie Fields; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; special friends, Helen Dungey, Fenis (Junior) Harmon and Harold Peake; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mrs. Ruby Lee Burnett

February 6, 1934 - October 26, 2012