RAY WYATT BURTON

April 4, 1925 – January 13, 2012

ANDERSON, SC - Ray Wyatt Burton, age 86, of Iva, South Carolina went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 13, 2012, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born April 4, 1925, he was one of 9 children born to the late Walter and Essie Leverette Burton.  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mildred Irene Burton, a special daughter-in-law, Paula Metz Burton, 3 sisters Sybil Mitchell, Iris Smith and Opal Parnell and 3 brothers, Pringle, Yancy and Lee Burton.  Ray was a life-long resident of Iva, SC where he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family but he also enjoyed fishing and golfing.  He retired from Jackson Mills in 1990, after 45 years of service.

On July 21, 1945, when he was 20 years old, he married the love of his life, Mildred Juanita Smith.  Together they shared 66 wonderful years of marriage, 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren.   

He is survived by his wife and children, Sue Burton and her husband Gene, Terry Burton and his wife Julia, Wade Burton, and Emily Cann and her husband Billy; grandchildren, Mark Burton and his wife Linda,  Pattie Burriss and her husband Travis, Paige  Sutherland and her husband Chris, Wayne Burton and his wife Leigh, Russell  Burton and his wife Deedra, Sommer Smith, and her husband Tommy, Jaime Miller and her husband Rhett, Renee Hollifield and her husband Travis, April Ott and her husband Robby;  great-grandchildren, Tori Burton, Taylor, Carlee and Gracie Burriss, Avery and Emma Grace Burton, Sydney Burton, Kade and Paislee Smith, Joshua Hollifield and his wife Laura, Zachary Hollifield, Bryson, Raelyn, Jordan and Evan Ott, step-great-grandchildren, Mary Kate and Bradley Powell; sister, Annie Smith; and brother, Ansel Burton.

Ray was a member of Rocky River Baptist Church in Iva where he was a faithful servant of the Lord serving in the following ministries:  Sunday School teacher for over 50 years, deacon, RA Leader, Men’s Ministry Leader and bus ministry.  He had a passion for the shut-ins of the church and community.  This led him to organize the tape ministry of the church by delivering video recordings of weekly services while visiting the shut-ins.  He served in this ministry for over 38 years.   Ray was a wonderful, Christian man that will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and church family.

The Funeral Service will be held at Rocky River Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012 with Reverend Brian Gray, Reverend Stephen Payne and Rev. Dr. Kirt Mitchell officiating.    Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will be at the home on East Broad Street, Iva and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Flowers are optional.  Memorials may be made to Rocky River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3234 Lake Secession Road, Iva, SC 29655.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com