Theadotia Burt

Published 12:00 am Friday, November 7, 2008

Theadotia K. Burt
DENDRON—Theadotia Kerlin “Theo” Burt, died in her home Nov. 4, 2008.
She was born in Newport News to the late William Upton Kerlin and Mary Jane Young Kerlin on March 23, 1923.
She was married to Howard B. Burt Jr. in Newport News on Sept. 30, 1942. They lived there until they moved to Dendron in the late 1940’s, where she spent the remainder of her life.
Mrs. Burt loved life, her family, babies, children, people, travel, and as she got older she loved her water aerobics classes, which she attended faithfully for 17 years.
She loved taking her children and other neighborhood children on trips to the movies and other places, and was often asked by them to be a chaperone on class trips.
Many of the elderly women in town who had no means of transportation were driven to their doctors by her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard.
She was also predeceased by a son, Carter Kerlin Burt, who died shortly after birth; by her brothers, Bill, John, and Norman Kerlin; a sister, Rachel Heartwell; and her beloved grandson, Craig Alan Newlon.
Survivors include four children, Judy Bulls and husband Chesley of Zuni, Richard Burt of Raleigh, N.C., Michael Burt and wife Diane of Eugene, Ore. and Susan Smelser and husband Dan of Lynchburg; granddaughter-in-law, Leigh Ann Newlon of Sedley; four step-grandchildren, Chet Bulls, Sara Mottau, Liz Tran, and Andy Tatman; two great-grandchildren, Hilary and Trevor Newlon; two step great-grandchildren, Lee and Josh Bulls; her sister, Betty Lane; one sister-in-law, Louise Hines and husband Gene; one brother-in-law, John Boole; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was blessed with a group of wonderful and caring doctors, including Dr. Mark Ellis, Dr. Eric Simko, Dr. Gregory Hughes, and Dr. Thomas Pope.
Special thanks goes to Mary Inman of Peninsula Cancer Institute, and Sharon Gunn and hospice staff from Sentara Home Care Service, who provided her children with information and care that made the transition to the next world so much easier; and the Rev. Ray Rowland, who offered spiritual solace.
Thank you, Christine and Jay, for everything you did.
A Celebration of Life was to be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dendron United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dendron United Methodist Church, Dendron, VA 23839, or the Dendron Volunteer Fire Department, Dendron, VA 23839.