Esther Burton

Missionary Esther P. Burton 75, passed away July 25, 2008 at her home. Born in Drew, MS, she came to Toledo in 1953 and joined Calvary Baptist Church under the late Rev, J.A. Dotson. She married Sammy L. Burton who preceded her in death after 51 years and six children. Thus began a life of devoted service to God and the church. Sister Esther’s desire and devout mission was that the Word of God be instilled in the hearts of people, everywhere. Therefore, she lived the life of a true missionary by traveling throughout the United States and the world teaching the word of God and living a life that was an example of a true Christian woman. She exuded a radiance and charming spirit which touched everyone. She humbly served the Lord with her time, talents and resources and a lifetime of Christian Service. Throughout her life, she carried the word to many countries. She traveled to Israel visiting the holy land, Turkey, Denmark, Switzerland, France several cities in Africa, Italy Korea and Greece to name a few. She initially served as a member of the Missionary Department at Calvary Baptist Church and as their president for 10 years as well as Supervisor of the Matron Auxiliary, Sunday school teacher, worship leader and Secretary of the Finance Department. She quickly moved to work on the District level as supervisor of the Young Matron’s Missionary Society and Chairperson of the Outreach Projects both for the Northwestern District. In 1981 she made a substantial donation establishing the Fund of Perpetuity for the Ohio Baptist State Convention and later in 1983, she was elected State President of the Ohio Baptist General Convention Women’s Auxiliary as the first women elected from the Northwestern District. In 1985, she was the first women to receive the Missionary Award from the Black Business and Professional Women’s Club, of Toledo, OH. Her work moved to the National level where she held many positions. She served as Secretary of the Worship Committee, worked on the Finance Committee and served as a writer for the Mission Department of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. In 1990, Sister Burton formed MOR-30 as a nonprofit company to honor Dr. Mary O. Ross on the culmination of her 30 years, as the president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. It later funded the education, scholarships, tributes and memorials for the National Baptist Convention., USA, Inc. She was preceded in death by her husband Sammy L. Burton, parents John Williamson and Beulah Donsur Williamson, brothers Sim, Willie Charles and William Earl Wortham and sister Mary Wortham Spates. She leaves to cherish her memory sons David, Larry (Elaine), Michael and Sammy Jr. (Tracie) Burton, daughters Beverly “Cookie” Burton and April (Hasani) Omarimuhammad, brother Joe Willie (Juanita) Wortham, grandchildren Khristy Burton, Samantha (Terrell) Nance, Keisha (Robert Sr) Taylor, LeAnna, Nicholas, Monique and Orlando, Brandon Burton, Mekha and Najja Omarimuhammad, great grandchildren Terrell Jr and Takyra Nance and Javen Taylor, other relatives, her Calvary Baptist Church family and her many friends in the Northwestern District, Ohio State and National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc Visitation will be Friday 4 – 6 p.m. followed by a wake service 6 - 8 p.m. both at the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Pastor Lee Owens, Second Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH. Funeral services will be Saturday 11:00 a.m. Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Floyd Smith Jr, officiant. The eulogy will be delivered by Pastor W. C. Thomas Greater St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, Wichita, KS. Entombment Ottawa Hills Memorial Park www.dalefh.com