O.D. Burton

With heartfelt honor, we celebrate the life and legacy of our patriarch, O.D. Burton, fondly known as “Deet” to some, and to all who knew him as a father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and an agricultural expert.

O.D. was born August 29, 1933, in Roe, Arkansas to Sam and Evelene Burton, who welcomed five children to their union. On July 7, 2024, a little over a month before his 91st birthday, he peacefully departed his earthly vessel with his children gathered to honor him in St. Louis to receive the promised reward of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

O.D. was born during the Great Depression, a severe global crisis that marked a ten-year period of economic hardship, 1929 - 1939. The harsh times serve as a great indictor for the decision by his parents to place him in the fields instead of school at the age of six to earn money to support the family. However, “Deet” valued education and frequently encouraged his children to, “Get your education.” O.D. rose to be a top agricultural expert for various local Prairie County farmers including the Vester and Earlywine families due to his natural talent and agricultural intelligence. His passion for farming enabled him to successfully raise his own crops of okra and cucumbers with his six children tending the fields each summer.

On April 20, 1952, O. D. Burton married Katie “Vert" Scaife Burton and to this union six children were born – Verna Burton, Shirley Flournoy of Maumelle AR, Orlando (Gwen) Burton Sr. of St. Louis MO, Min Albert “Chuck” Burton of Helena AR, Beverly (Sterling) Chandler of North Little Rock AR, and Dr. Anise Patricia Mastin of Atlanta GA -- and a grandfather to Temone Piggie, Tosha Flournoy, Lakesha Morris, Treloni Flournoy, Orlando Burton Jr. II, Kengie Burton, Afton Burton, Kiera Burton, Pashion Wofford, Dwayna (Bryan) Haley, Brandon (Brittany) Thompkins, Ethan Mastin, and Barika (Jarvis) Britman.

Saved as an adolescent, O.D. was adamant that his children be introduced to Kingdom living with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was a lover of doing things right. Those who knew him can attest to nuggets of wisdom he often shared like, “Don’t ever call the person you work for your boss. You are the one who makes the decision for what’s right. No one is the boss of you, but you.” They will also affirm that his love for “Vert” extended beyond the boundaries of time. He mentioned Mom often and affirmed that he was ready to see her again.

O.D. was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Tyree Burton, R.B. Burton; sisters Dorothy Burton, Ella Mae Burton; daughter Verna Burton; grandson Kengie Burton and son-in-law Richard Flournoy. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, great, great, great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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