Ruth was born March 4, 1929 at a house not far from here at her family home on 2nd Street. This is where she grew up with her parents, Frank and Nellie Burgust, her sister Jean, and her brother Robert. Frank worked in the State Bank of Apopka, and Nellie took care of the house and kids. Ruth went to school here in Apopka and from what I was told by her she made good grades and was very proud to say she played basketball in high school. Ruth and her family experienced the Great Depression, and although they didn't have a lot growing up, they were “rich in family”.
Ruth joined the First Presbyterian Church of Apopka and remained a Lifetime member for most of her adult life. She was also a member of the Orlando chapter of The Eastern Star. She started working in the bank with her dad and then later became a Cost Accountant at Robinson Printing in Orlando.
Later, when Ruth married Sammy, she purchased the home to start her own family.
Ruth met Sammy Livingston on a blind date set up by a mutual couple, Wanda and Winfred. Wanda was one of Ruth’s BFFs, and “Win” was one of Sammy’s.
Now, things didn't take off right away with those two. Months after going out on a single date, Ruth happened to see Sammy driving down the road in his car with his shirts hanging in the back seat. She decided she wanted to go out again. Soon they were dating and got married in 1960.
After her son, Jon, was born in 1962, she stayed home to care for him. Her other son, Steve arrived four years later.
In 1968, Ruth and her family moved to Orlando, into her second, and last, home. She made sure her two sons did their best in school, helping them with their homework and making sure class projects were done on time.
Later, she experienced the joy and fulfillment that only grandchildren and great-grandchildren can bring. She shared many fond memories with her four grandchildren: Crystal, Stephanie, Sammy and Scott, and her four great-grandchildren: Logan, Aydan, Adrianna and Braylon.
Ruth lost her husband Sammy to cancer in 1996, and remained in Orlando. She always said she was proud of her two sons and their families. She spent her whole life within twenty miles of where she was born, where she lived a modest, full life, and where her body will be buried. She is now with husband Sammy and her mother and daddy.
Throughout her entire life, Ruth stayed “rich in family”.