DEACON EUGENE BURTON SR.

March 21, 2014.
Survived by a host of loving family and friends.

Homegoing Service Saturday, March 29, 2014,
New Bethlehem Baptist Church,
Preston and Aspen Sts., Phila. PA.
Viewing from 9 to 10 A.M. Service to follow at 10 A.M.
Interment Rolling Green Memorial Park.
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Eugene C. Burton Sr. was a deacon at New Bethlehem Baptist Church.

He died on Friday, March 21, 2014. He was 93.

He was born on Feb. 21, 1921 to Roberta Smith Burton and Ira Burton in Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

Burton was educated in the Fuquay Springs Public School System. He attended First Baptist Church in Fuquay. He left home in 1941 and lived and worked briefly in Virginia before moving to Philadelphia, where he met and married the late Jannie Haymes. They had two daughters and one son.

Burton was member of New Bethlehem for more than 60 years where he served as a deacon, choir member, in the bus ministry and in various other ministries.

His family said he loved helping people. When he saw a need; he freely gave his time and energy to help. Frequently when a service needed to be performed at church or in his community, people often said, "Ask Deacon Burton. He will help you."

Burton loved spending time with family, friends and neighbors.

Burton received a commendation from the Redfield Street Block Association for more than 40 years of volunteering his service to children, youth, and families, including establishing the annual Father and Son day baseball game and cook-out.

"He truly loved interacting with young people and always took time to share a laugh or a word of encouragement," his family said.

"He acted out his Christianity through words and deeds."

Burton completed his formal education and became a machinist for Dennis Mitchell Industries. Upon leaving Dennis Mitchell, he became employed as a machinist at General Electric Corporation where he remained until retirement. He was an entrepreneur, establishing three businesses — a grocery store, an exterminating company and a van service.

He is survived by his son Eugene Burton Jr. (Roberta); daughters Bobby Revels and Rosalyn Dove (Ronald); sister Ruby Bullock; brother-in-law Robert Haymes (Louise); sister-in-laws Mabel Burton and Ammarie Haymes; 14 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

Services will be held on March 29 at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4036 Aspen St. Viewing is at 9 a.m. Services will follow at 10 a.m. Burial was Rolling Green Memorial Park, West Chester.

Wood Funeral Home handled the arrangements.