Myrtice Tanner Gustafson

            Myrtice “Myrt” Tanner Gustafson passed away peacefully on February 24, 2024, at her home in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  She was born on April 18, 1949, in Nicholls, Georgia where she lived with her parents, Albert and Eula Tanner and five siblings, one of which survives her, Ruth Rewis of Douglas, Georgia.  She married Edwin “Sherwood” Gustafson, Jr. on November 27, 1964, whom she deeply loved for the 58 years leading up to his death. She and Sherwood resided in Green Cove Springs at G Bar Ranch for majority of their matrimony, where they raised their three children: Sheryl “Lyn” Gustafson, Gina T. Gustafson and Edwin Sherwood Gustafson, III. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated Christian and matriarch. She taught Sunday school at Russell Baptist Church alongside Sherwood and was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Green Cove Springs, Florida in her later years. She loved traveling with her children to athletic events, including baseball, softball, cheerleading, and several equestrian shows, and particularly enjoyed membership in clubs that her family and community were involved in, such as being President of the PTA at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School in the 1970’s, a member of the GCS athletic association, the Clay County 4H Club, Clay County Fair Association, and Clay County Cattleman’s Association. 

            Throughout Myrt and Sherwood’s marriage, they enjoyed quality time together and with family that included traveling to their second home in Wittman, Arizona, going scuba diving, fishing and boating (on their yacht that was named after her, “Milkman’s Miss”) and attending team roping events, oftentimes sponsoring these events by holding them on their property, G Bar Ranch, and the “Cowboy Church”. These events would often be followed by lunch at G Bar’s Bunkhouse with family and friends. Myrt was best known for her generosity and her great cooking and was especially known as an excellent hostess to many parties and events throughout her lifetime. She was a kind and gentle lady who extended respect and courtesy to everyone she met. 

            In her advanced years, she found enjoyment in watching hummingbirds feed at her feeders, and cherished the divine, fleeting beauty of the butterflies that she shared her home with. She treasured the time with her family. Everyone knew her as “Mama Myrt” or Nana. She leaves behind her 3 children, 11 grandchildren: Waylon Wade Woods, William Baird-Tanner Woods, Ethan Shane Woods, Edwin Sherwood Gustafson, IV, Aaron Gregory James Harris, Julia Grace Gustafson, Rachael Agnes Gustafson Devenport (James), Victoria Gracelyn Greenway, Rebecca Elizabeth Harris, Christina Tommie Salazar, and Thomas Luke Salazar, Jr. and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 29, 2024 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 1, 2024 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Pastor Larry Hall officiating.  Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery.