July 5, 2022
July 5, 2022
I miss her so very much. The world is less bright and beautiful without her in it.
Anita Elaine Hurst, age 77, passed away on July 1, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, due to complications from cancer.
She is survived by her three children, Mary (Brian) Moll of Kennesaw, GA, Thomas George, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, and Leigh (David) Hicks of Atlanta, GA.; her three grandchildren, Ryan and Lauren Moll, and Amelia Hicks; her nieces Jean Marie Harrison and Jennifer (Brian) Cardin, and many cherished cousins and other family members. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Evelyn and John A. Yochem, Jr., her father, William B. Harrison, Sr., brothers William B. Harrison, Jr. and John A. Yochem III.
Anita was born and raised in Madison, GA, moving to Jacksonville, FL, while in high school and graduated from Englewood High School. With a passion to care for others, Anita obtained her nursing degree from Saint Joseph’s Infirmary School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA, and began work immediately after graduation at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she worked for the majority of her 40+ year career as an Operating Room nurse. Nursing was her true calling in life. She later took her passion for nursing and caring for others and served as the Medical Director of Orphanage Emmanuel in Guaimaca, Honduras for several years, and later as the Medical Director of Centro de Amor Y Vida Children’s Cancer Center for 3 more years. She loved working with the children and families in Honduras and serving the Honduran communities. Anita was an avid reader and loved books, bookstores and libraries. She also loved animals and recently served as a volunteer and “cat nurse" at Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, where she met her beloved cat “Sammie”. Above all else, Anita loved her family and friends deeply. She was an incredible mother and grandmother and would always put her family first, above all else, including herself. She will be remembered as a loving and caring woman, a caregiver and friend to many, who will be missed greatly.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 o’clock on August 20, 2021, at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you please make donations in memory of Anita Hurst to either Cure Childhood Cancer – Atlanta www.curechildhoodcancer.org or to Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters www.furkids.org.
She is survived by her three children, Mary (Brian) Moll of Kennesaw, GA, Thomas George, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, and Leigh (David) Hicks of Atlanta, GA.; her three grandchildren, Ryan and Lauren Moll, and Amelia Hicks; her nieces Jean Marie Harrison and Jennifer (Brian) Cardin, and many cherished cousins and other family members. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Evelyn and John A. Yochem, Jr., her father, William B. Harrison, Sr., brothers William B. Harrison, Jr. and John A. Yochem III.
Anita was born and raised in Madison, GA, moving to Jacksonville, FL, while in high school and graduated from Englewood High School. With a passion to care for others, Anita obtained her nursing degree from Saint Joseph’s Infirmary School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA, and began work immediately after graduation at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she worked for the majority of her 40+ year career as an Operating Room nurse. Nursing was her true calling in life. She later took her passion for nursing and caring for others and served as the Medical Director of Orphanage Emmanuel in Guaimaca, Honduras for several years, and later as the Medical Director of Centro de Amor Y Vida Children’s Cancer Center for 3 more years. She loved working with the children and families in Honduras and serving the Honduran communities. Anita was an avid reader and loved books, bookstores and libraries. She also loved animals and recently served as a volunteer and “cat nurse" at Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, where she met her beloved cat “Sammie”. Above all else, Anita loved her family and friends deeply. She was an incredible mother and grandmother and would always put her family first, above all else, including herself. She will be remembered as a loving and caring woman, a caregiver and friend to many, who will be missed greatly.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 o’clock on August 20, 2021, at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you please make donations in memory of Anita Hurst to either Cure Childhood Cancer – Atlanta www.curechildhoodcancer.org or to Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters www.furkids.org.
Tributes
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September 11, 2021
September 11, 2021
I met Anita through Christ at Northbrook UMC. Her face radiated her love for life and God's people. Her life history touched my heart. She was a special lady because she shared herself with me, her family and all God's children and kitties. I will always cherish her smile.
August 19, 2021
August 19, 2021
Dear Anita,
It has taken me a long time to come to this page and write this. I think it is because I just don’t want to say good-bye. You have always been such a special friend to me.
You were always there to listen with your heart, to hear all I had to say. I could count on your good judgment and counsel no matter what the need. So, I turned to you often.
You were willing to forgive me my faults and to like me anyway. I remember the countless hours we sat in the outdoor chapel at Northbrook talking through all of the world’s problems. We shared our past, our present and our hopes for the future. And, we laughed, oh how we laughed. You shared your beautiful faith with me and helped me with mine. Your unfailing love for God guided me often. My heart used to lift at the sight of you, because I knew I was coming into the presence of a true friend.
And, I don’t want to say goodbye. So, I will say what we always said at the end of every phone call – I love you.
It has taken me a long time to come to this page and write this. I think it is because I just don’t want to say good-bye. You have always been such a special friend to me.
You were always there to listen with your heart, to hear all I had to say. I could count on your good judgment and counsel no matter what the need. So, I turned to you often.
You were willing to forgive me my faults and to like me anyway. I remember the countless hours we sat in the outdoor chapel at Northbrook talking through all of the world’s problems. We shared our past, our present and our hopes for the future. And, we laughed, oh how we laughed. You shared your beautiful faith with me and helped me with mine. Your unfailing love for God guided me often. My heart used to lift at the sight of you, because I knew I was coming into the presence of a true friend.
And, I don’t want to say goodbye. So, I will say what we always said at the end of every phone call – I love you.
August 15, 2021
August 15, 2021
Mary, Leigh and Tommy, your mother was such a dear friend for many years. We shared so many fun times when you were small and before she was working. We spent endless hours talking about everything and watching the Flamingo Apt kids play and grow. We also attended many events together including St Joseph's parties and an Elvis concert. She liked to laugh and enjoy herself. She meant so much to me as a friend and I will forever hold her dear. Above all, she was proud of her children. I know she is continuing to be proud of you and watch over you.
July 30, 2021
July 30, 2021
Anita was my cousin and I loved her dearly. I was honored to be the flower girl in her wedding and I still have the pretty little yellow dress I wore. Anita was kind and loving and so beautiful, inside and out. I'll never forget the way she cared for my mom and us at St. Joseph's during my mother's illness. I believe nurses are angels, and my cousin has gained her wings.
My heart is now with her children and grandchildren, who loved and were so loved by her.
My heart is now with her children and grandchildren, who loved and were so loved by her.
July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021
Anita was the beautiful, admired older cousin when I was little but when I moved to Atlanta to go to school, she took me under her wing as a sister and became a friend, as well. She was the nurse I wanted to be like. I was honored to work at St. Joseph's where Anita, my mother, and our aunt had worked as well. Often, Anita came to escort my patients to surgery and I watched as she lovingly prepared them for transporting, seeing to their every need-so incredibly sweet, capable, and comforting...it made my chest fill with such pride and love. She fought for each and every patient's best care, welfare, and dignity. She was a brilliant neurosurgical nurse. Anita gave her all...and more...in the care of others and took little for herself. She made me laugh like few others have; she could see right into a person's heart and she could also see their faults and knew when someone was insincere...she didn't often comment on it but when she did it was spot on and with a dry wit that made me double over with laughter. Anita's warm love shone like a light pulling others closer in just to share a little whenever she was near. Heaven has a new, beautiful angel and I know she is joyful in the presence of her beloved mother, father, brothers, and grandparents and Sister Mary Brian, but those of us left behind will miss her terribly!
July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021
Anita was a wonderful role model for me when I learned to be an OR nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. She took me under her wing and showed me how to be a caring nurse. I worked with her for 15 years. She was not only a great role model, but a good friend and neighbor. Her youngest daughter even babysat for me. I did not know that she had worked in Honduras with children, but I know that she was indeed a blessing to them. She was a good friend and made this world a better place. She will be missed.
July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021
Anita was a sweet and caring niece. She was always speaking of her children and grandchildren, she loved them dearly. We will all miss her but we know she is at peace.
July 13, 2021
July 13, 2021
Nita was a loving , caring person. As a younger cousin, I adored spending time with her. She was patient with me and we had many fun times in our earlier years. Her work with children was a passion that blessed many. Knowing Jesus as her Savior, I am comforted to know she is in Heaven with loved ones who have gone before. She will be missed!
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
July 5, 2022
July 5, 2022
I miss her so very much. The world is less bright and beautiful without her in it.
September 11, 2021
September 11, 2021
I met Anita through Christ at Northbrook UMC. Her face radiated her love for life and God's people. Her life history touched my heart. She was a special lady because she shared herself with me, her family and all God's children and kitties. I will always cherish her smile.
August 19, 2021
August 19, 2021
Dear Anita,
It has taken me a long time to come to this page and write this. I think it is because I just don’t want to say good-bye. You have always been such a special friend to me.
You were always there to listen with your heart, to hear all I had to say. I could count on your good judgment and counsel no matter what the need. So, I turned to you often.
You were willing to forgive me my faults and to like me anyway. I remember the countless hours we sat in the outdoor chapel at Northbrook talking through all of the world’s problems. We shared our past, our present and our hopes for the future. And, we laughed, oh how we laughed. You shared your beautiful faith with me and helped me with mine. Your unfailing love for God guided me often. My heart used to lift at the sight of you, because I knew I was coming into the presence of a true friend.
And, I don’t want to say goodbye. So, I will say what we always said at the end of every phone call – I love you.
It has taken me a long time to come to this page and write this. I think it is because I just don’t want to say good-bye. You have always been such a special friend to me.
You were always there to listen with your heart, to hear all I had to say. I could count on your good judgment and counsel no matter what the need. So, I turned to you often.
You were willing to forgive me my faults and to like me anyway. I remember the countless hours we sat in the outdoor chapel at Northbrook talking through all of the world’s problems. We shared our past, our present and our hopes for the future. And, we laughed, oh how we laughed. You shared your beautiful faith with me and helped me with mine. Your unfailing love for God guided me often. My heart used to lift at the sight of you, because I knew I was coming into the presence of a true friend.
And, I don’t want to say goodbye. So, I will say what we always said at the end of every phone call – I love you.
Gallery
Nita and me
