Mrs. Virginia Burke Tyner
Augusta, GA-Mrs. Virginia (Ginny) Burke Tyner, 86, wife of the late John Layton Tyner,
Jr. and mother of the late Nancy Ilene Tyner, entered rest on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at
Doctors Hospital. She was the daughter of Arthur and Emma Burke. She was born and
raised near Summertown, GA, where she graduated from high school. She moved to
Savannah at age 17 and lived there many years as well as on the Isle of Wight in Liberty
County. She moved to Grovetown in 2007.
While she will always be cherished as a mother and grandmother, she also had been very
active in her church and community affairs. She was a member of the Abilene Baptist
Church of Martinez, GA and loved her Sunday School Class and church exercise group.
Previously she was a charter member of the Dean Forest Baptist Church and attended the
Midway United Methodist Church in Midway, GA, serving on several committees,
including the board of directors and treasurer of the UMW.
She volunteered for 45 years as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, teaching thousands,
from beginner to water safety instructor. During those years, she was awarded many
certificates and the "Service to Humanity" medal. Besides the swim program, she
volunteered 35 years with the Red Cross Blood Program. She was also active in the
Homemaker's Club, which works with the Extension Service of the University of
Georgia. She served on the State Council as safety chairman and was voted "Georgia
Homemaker of the Year" in 1978. She was a member and past president of the Garden
Club of Pooler.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Jan and her husband, Dr. William O'Leary of
Evans, GA and her son, John L. Tyner, III and his wife, Juan Smith Tyner of Brunswick,
GA. She is remembered fondly by her five grandchildren, Tina Tyner Gates and her
husband, Alan of West Point, Mississippi, William O'Leary, III and his wife, Missie of
Augusta, Ronald O'Leary and his wife, Courtney of Huntersville, NC, John Layton
Tyner, IV of Brunswick and David O'Leary and his wife, Ginny of Evans, GA. She will
also be missed by her eight great-grandchildren, Jackie, Layton V, Chandler, Savannah,
Jack, Sam, Max and Sydney. She also followed closely the lives of her several nephews
and nieces.
Family will receive friends at the Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, West
Chatham Chapel in Pooler on Tuesday, October 5th from 1-2 p.m. The funeral will
follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with the Reverend Terry Doss,
associate pastor of Abilene Baptist Church, officiating. Graveside service and burial will
follow immediately at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.
Memorials may be made to the Abilene Baptist Church Building Fund or the American
Red Cross.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes
West Chatham Chapel
901 W. Hwy 80, Pooler, GA 31322
912-748-2444