Rita Joan (Guinn) Burchfield, age 89 of Sumner, went safely home to be with Jesus at 9:10 am on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Born August 17, 1932 to Nan Katherin (Nelson) and Paul Peter Quinn. The 5th of 6 children- two brothers: Tommy Paul and Paul Nelson Guinn and three sisters- Doris Dorene (Fouts), Donna Louise (Veach), and Ruth Ann (Cooper).
Rita married Lee Elsworth Burchfield on May 28, 1949. In May, they celebrated their 72nd Anniversary. What a BLESSING!!!
As a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Bridgeport since 1953, Rita was very active within the church family. Within the church she was active in the Homemakers, Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), Bible School, singing in the choir, and her favorite…the nursery.
Rita was a homemaker, which was her best and favorite job. For a time, she also worked outside of the home at Florsheim Shoe factory in Olney, worked at the Bridgeport Leader, and was an accomplished seamstress.
Surviving relatives include: her beloved husband of 72 years- Lee Elsworth Burchfield of Sumner: two sons- Mark (Melinda) Burchfield of Neosha, MO and A. Karl (Caroline) Burchfield of Elgin: four daughters- Julia Walker of Evansville, IN, Pamela (Robin) Barber of Okeechobee, FL, Eva Fleming of Lawrenceville, Nanette (Jerry) Dunn of Sumner: one daughter-in-law- Charlotte Burchfield of Sumner: grandchildren- Penny (Raymond) Mercer of Ft. Walton, FL; Charity (Tim) Frizzell of Ullin, IL; Jeffery (Susan) Sloan of Huntingburg, IN; Tara Burris of Henderson, KY; Jehiah (Ryan) Burchfield of Bella Vista, AR; Elisha (Jennifer) Burchfield of Neosho, MO; Shiloh (Angie) Burchfield of Neosho, MO; Solomon Burchfield of Fayetteville, AR; Rebekah (Thaddeus) McCleary of Fayetteville, AR; Simeon Burchfield of Pittsburg, KS; Talitha (Shawn) Palmeter of Okeechobee, FL; Josiah (Karina) of Largo, FL; Shelevah (Cody) Dobbs of Dandridge, TN; Elias (Callie) Barber of Zolfo Springs, FL; Aaron Burchfield of Denver, CO; Elizabeth Burchfield of Chicago, IL; Warren Burchfield of Glendale Hts, IL; Cielee Burton of Evansville, IN; Maci Darnold of San Diego, CA; Kyle (Kelsey) Darnold of Flat Rock, IL; Alia (Chris) Crowe of Evansville, IN; Aliesha (Matheus) Santos Nunes-Fleming of San Diego, CA; Briana (Jonathan) Crutchfield of Lawrenceville, IL; Barrett Dunn of Hendersonville, TN; Brooke (Ike) Fishbaugh of Sumner, IL: 38 Great-Grandchildren AND 8 Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Rita was preceded in death by: her parents: two brothers- Tommy Paul Quinn and Paul Nelson Quinn: one sister- Donna Louise Veach: one son- Paul Ray Burchfield: and one Great-Granddaughter- Ruby Joy Fishbaugh.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021 at the Shiloh Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time at noon. Burial will take place in Bridgeport City Cemetery (Shiloh). Cunningham Funeral Home of Bridgeport is assisting the family in their time of need.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home directly or through the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.