Ruth Delores Burley, 85 years old, of Newfield passed away on Tuesday December 27, 2022. She was born in Danville, VA to the late James Kirby and Nannie Bell Crews-Kirby. She was only a child when her parents relocated to New Jersey where she attended the Clayton and Franklinville school systems.

Ruth worked for Venance Made for 8 years, where she met her late husband Leroy Burly. Ruth and Leroy lived in Vineland for 45 years. She also worked for Wheaton's and Kolemar, 3 years each. Then she became a home health aide, which she absolutely loved. She took great care of the people she was assigned, showing them love, kindness, and compassion. Most of all, she loved sharing the love and
goodness of Jesus Christ with her clients.

Ruth has been a member of the Union Temple for more than 40 years. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 139. She loved singing on the choir, visiting the sick and shut in, and serving communion to those who could not make it to church. You could not keep Ruth from attending a church event. She went wherever the bus was taking church members, in-state and out-of-state. Ruth was diligent in making sure her friends, other
church members, and those she was witnessing to, made it to church. She would leave the house extra early to round everybody up to make it to church. Now whether they made it on time is another story. When she was asked how was church today, she would say with a BIG SMILE on her face, "Oh, wonderful, wonderful!" Ruth was known for her BIGGER THAN LIFE HUGS that would leave you breathless.

Even though she was 100% shorter than everyone she hugged, other than the little ones, she would try to lift you off your feet. And one kiss was never enough. Ruth was always on the go. She made sure her friends and church family got to where they needed to go. You could count on one or all her very close friends to be in the car with her – Ms. Viola, Ms. Arnetta, and Ms. Pearl. She would crack up laughing when her granddaughter would call them her road dawgs. She loved spending time with family and friends.

Ruth became a member of The Retirees of New Jersey in her later years. She enjoyed attending the meetings. She was grateful that her cousins encouraged her to join.

Predeceased by her husband Leroy Burley, mother Nannie Bell Crews-Kirby, Father James Kirby, Aunt Inez Mortes, Brother Bob Steel Kirby, Sister Arlene Kirby-Higginbotham, Brother James Kirby, Jr, Daughter Elizabeth Kirby-Corbin, and Grandson Andre Kirby. Ruth leaves to mourn her loss and cherish her memory, daughters Katrica Kirby, Stephanie Kirby-Russell (Kerry), Kathleen Kirby-McCormick (Leon), and Anita Stearn; Grandchildren Frankie Kirby, Timothy Kirby, Sa'Tonya Jones, Taneha Kirby, Francisco Cruz, Arthur Slogan, Demetrius Jones, Edwin Kirby, Dennis Corbin Jr., Georlisa Kirby, Nieces Deneen Higginbotham, Connie Higginbotham, Roberta Kirby-Still, Rochelle Arthur, Nephew Robert Kirby, 21 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, best friends Viola Dower and Ruth Hazzard, and a host of family and friends.