Claudia Faye Brunke

Claudia Faye Jones Brunke, 83, went to be with the Lord on September 3rd, 2022. She was born on August 12, 1939, in Jacksonville, FL. She was a member of the 1957 class of Andrew Jackson High School and worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company directly after graduating. She married her husband of 65 years, Robert Brunke, in July of 1957 and became a military wife. In 1959 she had her first of three children and she embarked on her most coveted role of “mom”. Throughout her years as a military wife and mother, she was fortunate enough to enjoy time in both Scotland and the Azores among other domestic duty stations. Upon retirement from the military, the family settled in Jacksonville and then later moved to St. Augustine in 1978. She became a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church shortly after where she actively served for many years. Claudia worked for the St. Johns County School District with the children and families at Mill Creek Elementary School, Julington Creek Elementary School, and Hickory Creek Elementary before retiring in 2005. She served as union President of the St. Johns School Support Association and also ran for the St. Johns County School Board. Claudia’s life centered around serving others. She was fiercely patriotic and lovingly devoted to her family. She never missed an event for her children and grandchildren. Every milestone was an occasion for celebration, and she could always be counted on to be your biggest cheerleader. Sunday Family Dinner was a tradition and she always made sure your “favorites” were on the table. She loved the mountains and waterfalls of North Carolina. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Walter Jones, her brother Gary Jones and her son, Rodney D. Brunke. She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Brunke, son Eric S. Brunke (Karen) of Jacksonville, and her daughter Jessica L. Veon (Russell) of St. Augustine, her brothers Mark Jones of Jacksonville, Dale Jones of Jacksonville, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, September 13th with visitation at 10 am and services following at 11 am at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Interment will be at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Flowers are gratefully accepted, or donations can be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association https://alzfdn.org/. St. Johns Family Funeral home of St. Augustine is in charge of arrangements.

Claudia Faye Brunke

August 12, 1939 - September 3, 2022