My father, Robert Burton, was born in Sumter County in 1958 and was a loving, caring father of five. Even though all of us are grown now, he always made the effort to stay connected. About 20 years ago, he moved from Georgia to Tampa, Florida, but he never missed a special holiday with us. Whenever he came back to Georgia, it felt like a big family event, and those memories are some of my most cherished.

Over the past three weeks, I have been traveling back and forth to Tampa to be with him. About a week ago, I received terrible news that my father had fallen while in the nursing home. He was taken to the hospital and placed on life support. This past Thursday, I was by his side when he took his last breath. Even though I was told this day was coming, nothing could have prepared me for the pain and loss I felt. It truly felt like my world had come crashing down, and I was left speechless.

To me, my father is irreplaceable. I want to honor him by giving him a proper burial in Georgia, where our family can visit and remember him. I do not want to cremate my father; I want him to have a resting place that reflects the love and respect we have for him. Any help I can receive to make this possible would mean so much to me and my family. Thank you to everyone who can support us during this difficult time.