Ginger Michelle Burnett, 42, of Batesville passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro from complications of pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Her death at such a young age comes as a complete shock to her family. Ginger was born on July 1, 1982 in Newport, Arkansas to James (Jim) T. Burnett and Sabina Olszewski Burnett.
Ginger was very intelligent and graduated Batesville High School Class of 2000 with Honors and as Class Salutatorian. While in high school she was involved in nearly every club, fundraised with the local Area Arts Council, and was president of the Student Council. She was also honored by then Governor Huckabee for outstanding achievements in high school. In her younger years, she was an avid equestrian dressage rider, with ribbons from many local shows. She loved to draw pictures of her horses as well and would give them to friends. Ginger had a great affinity for animals, particularly cats and dogs, and even appeared with her black lab on America’s Funniest Home videos. Ginger also was involved in Girl Scouts and lifeguarded at Camp Crossed Arrows, earning the nickname ”Otter”. Her humor, smile, quick wit, and friendly demeanor will be greatly missed.
After high school, Ginger attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri receiving a degree in Biology in 2004 with honors. While in college, she completed a semester internship at Disney World in Florida during the spring of her sophomore year. She went on to graduate school and earned her nursing degree from Cox College, where she was the recipient of the Children’s Miracle Network Scholarship. In her post-college professional life, she worked as a Registered Nurse for many years in both Springfield and Searcy. Ginger was a hard worker and often volunteered to help people. In her later life, due to health reasons, she retired from her nursing career and lived in Batesville as a freelance writer for the Melbourne Times, writing several articles about local characters and daily life, of which she was proud that one particular article was selected for reprint by the AP Press. She later continued in a variety of service and sales roles, including the local Goodwill in Batesville. Ginger was a member of First United Methodist Church in Batesville and often attended the early contemporary service with her mother. Ginger and her mother, Sabina, were extremely close and often traveled to regional events and festivities together.
Ginger is survived by her parents, James (Jim) T. Burnett and Sabina Olszewski Burnett of Batesville, her older sister Sandra (Adam) Bolain of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania along with nephew, Austin Bolain and niece, Ava Bolain. Ginger’s nephew is following her footsteps as a rising nursing student. Ginger was particularly beautiful and many family members comment that her niece shares a striking family resemblance.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Fred and Mary McIntosh Burnett of Batesville as well as her maternal grandparents, Stanley and Helen Olszewski of Alden, New York.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, August 29, 2024 at First United Methodist Church of Batesville with Pastor Katie Pearce officiating. Arrangements were made by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ginger’s honor to the Independence County Humane Society.
