West Chatham Chapel

Mrs. Ruth Lucille McBurney McElveen
May 7, 1923 - May 2, 2009

Mrs. Ruth Lucille McBurney McElveen, 85, of Pooler, died on May 2, 2009 at The Place
at Pooler, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness.
A native of Barnesville, Ohio, Ruth was valedictorian of her Bethesda High School
graduating class and an honors graduate of Wheeling Nursing School in 1944.
Affectionately called "Mac", she was a practicing registered nurse for over forty years,
having begun her career in Miami, FL at Jackson Memorial Hospital and later retiring
from Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, GA. She and her family lived in
Miami, FL and Black Creek, GA before moving to Pooler, GA in 1964. A compassionate
caregiver to many, Ruth always enjoyed sharing stories about her ballroom and swing
dancing experiences, solving crossword puzzles, playing competitive card and board
games---and teaching her grandchildren all of these!
A member of First Baptist Church of Pooler, she was preceded in death by her husband,
William Carlous McElveen, her eldest daughter, Sheryl McElveen Packer, and her sister,
Izola McBurney Kiner.
Surviviing are her four daughters, Judith Mann of Raleigh, NC, Kathy Symonds and
Cristy McElveen, both of Pooler and Debra Stewart of Midway; five siblings, Ralph
McBurney of Columbus, Ohio, Robert McBurney of Worthington, Ohio, Dean McBurney
of Ashland, Ohio, Martha McBurney Rinehart of Greenville, SC, Rhea-Mae McBurney
Setti-Ducati of Albany, NY; nine grandchildren, Krista (Tracey) Girardeau, Michael
(Kim) Packer, Robert (Liz) Mann, Amy (Tim) Jarkow, Holly (George) Ketchup, John
(Amber) Stembridge, Julie Mann, Joey (Ashley) Stembridge, Matthew Symonds, five
great-grandchildren, Jacob, Emily, Will, LJ, and Kaleb and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 4 at the Thomas C. Strickland &
Sons Funeral Home, West Chatham Chapel in Pooler.
The Funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 in the chapel of the Thomas C.
Strickland & Sons Funeral Home. The Rev. Kenny Harrelson will officiate and music
will be provided by Kim Packer and Angie Roberts. Pallbearers will be the grandsons,
Michael P. Packer, Jr., John Robert Mann, Jr., John Stembridge, Joseph Stembridge,
Matthew Symonds and Tracey Girardeau.
Burial will follow at Hillcrest Abbey West Cemetery on Dean Forest Road in Garden
City, GA.

Remembrances may be given to the American Cancer Society, 660 Abercorn Street, Suite
206, Savannah, GA 31405 or to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA
31416.