Florence Burnite

Born June 18,1923 in Charlotte, NC to Parents Janie Knox & Withers Rea Lee.

She passed away at 94 yrs old on April 21, 2018 in Tampa FL.

Her family moved from NC to FL during the depression when Florence was a child, but she always considered St. Pete to be her home. She graduated from St. Petersburg HS in 1941. She then attended Mound Park Hospital Nursing School, graduating in 1944 and went on to specialize in Anesthesiology. She attended classes and training at William and Mary as well as Northwestern in Chicago, IL. During her college years she took great pride in being an Epsilon Sigma Alpha “Sweetheart”.

She started her nursing career working at the VA hospital in St. Petersburg and eventually landed at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa where she spent over 25 years before retiring in 1987. The OB department and the delivery room were always her favorites, as she loved being with all the babies.

After a successful blind date and short courtship, Florence married Frederick Burnite April 5, 1958 in Tampa at Manhattan Methodist Church where she was a charter member. They enjoyed 52 years of wedded bliss before her husband passed in 2010.

She was an active member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Port Tampa chapter, for many years and enjoyed the group’s philanthropic activities.

She loved spending time with her girlfriends affectionately nicknamed “The Boca Bunch.” Their girls’ crafting weekends and just spending time together were favorite memories.

She is survived by her son Thomas Burnite, Tampa (Hunter Kelly, Martin A Kelly Jr), daughter Susan Parsons, Hudson, WI and her pride and joys, Grandchildren T. McKinley Parsons (Brynn), Hudson, WI., Samuel Frederick Parsons, Seoul, South Korea and Sydney Neely Parsons, Hudson, WI. Many nieces and nephews, along with great and great-great nieces and nephews. She had a special place in her heart for nieces Linda Ann Cone (Rammy), Tampa and Lauri L Hardeman (Gary) Houston, TX whom she considered to be like her own daughters and loved their children as her own grandchildren.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Hugh, Rea (Irene), John (Babe) and David (Frances), and her sister who was also her best friend, Jane Reynolds (William) and her beloved husband, Frederick A Burnite.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday June 15th at 4:30 pm at Manhattan Ave United Methodist Church with a reception following.

Interment will be at the Florida National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to LifePath Hospice – 12470 Telecom Dr. Tampa, FL 33637 or at www.chaptershealth.org Florence’s personality and career were geared toward helping others and her family feels this gift would allow her memory to continue helping others.