Obituary of Nancy Burling

Nancy Gibson Burling, aged 86, of Jacksonville, FL entered into the loving arms of the Lord on the third of October 2024. She passed peacefully surrounded by her entire surviving family. A celebration of life will be held at Lakewood Church of Jacksonville on the 26th of October at 2pm with Pastor Don Thompson officiating. The service will be livestreamed from Lakewood’s YouTube channel (@LakewoodChurchJax) and a reception will follow at the church. Eternity Funeral will be handling the funeral arrangements. Nancy was born in Franklin, Georgia to Mort and Wylene Gibson on March 17th, 1938. She graduated in 1955 from Heard County High School. She attended Young Harris College and LaGrange College, and went on to the University of Florida where she earned a Master of Education degree in School Counseling. She worked for Duval County Public Schools as a teacher and guidance counselor for over 30 years, with most of that time being at Fletcher High. She was voted Teacher of the Year by her coworkers and was a finalist for Teacher of the Year for the entire district. Nancy received an Honorable Mention by the Florida School Counselor Association in 1986 and the Lucille Crysell award in March 1999. Nancy was the test center coordinator for the ACT and the SAT for over 25 years. Nancy was a truly creative person, was loved and respected by everyone, and was equally able to show great care for so many. She enjoyed theatre, singing in the choir at church, and volunteering at Vacation Bible School, whether it was in a skit or in the kitchen. She also worked the polls for our local elections for many years and loved staying active in her community. Nancy is survived by her son Donald James Burling, Jr. (Lori); daughter Cynthia “Cindy” Burling Rushforth, and granddaughters Amanda “Mandie” Faith Boudreaux (Charles) and Jade Maurine Burling. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years Donald James Burling, her parents Mort and Wylene, her brother William “Billy”, and her granddaughter Elizabeth Nicole Burling. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Community Hospice at 4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville FL 32257. To commemorate Nancy’s vibrant personality and colorful life, family and friends are invited to dress in colorful attire.