On Sunday, March 23, 2008, Deacon A.D. Burton of Picayune departed this life, at the age 85, in Slidell, La. at Gulf State Hospital.

A.D. was born August 22, 1922, to the late Joseph Burton and Viola Griffith in Shubuta, Miss. He spent his early years in Shubuta and Meridian, Miss. His mother moved to Picayune and in 1938 he joined her here. He was educated in the public schools of Picayune. He met his wife, Bernethia Carpenter, and married her in October of 1941. To this union 13 children were born. In 1943 he joined the army and fought in World War II. While in the service, he was trained in mechanics. After returning home in 1946, he worked as a mechanic, later moving on to the Crosby Paint Plant. A.D. also worked as a maintenance man for the Housing Authority of Picayune and retired from this position. Upon returning from the military, he joined the Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church Family, where he served as a deacon, chairman of the deacon board, and assistant treasurer.

Dedicated to the betterment of both his family and community, A.D. and three of his friends became the first Blacks to register to vote in the Picayune area. He served as the president of the Pearl River Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and also helped to establish the V.F.W. for the black servicemen of Picayune.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Joseph and Viola; his wife, Bernethia and one son, Robert Earl.

He leaves to cherish his memory 12 children: three daughters, Myrtle Rhone, Juanita Terrell and Felicia (Coleman) Davis of Picayune; nine sons: A.D. Jr. (Dora) of Oakland, Calif., Daniel of New Bern, N.C., Theodore (Mary) of Columbus, Ga., Carl Ray (Delores) of Saraland, Ala., Don Howard, Larry (Diane), Joseph Victor (Felicia) and Vincent (Patricia) of Picayune; 35 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; a special godchild, June Roberts; a very special aunt, Annie Bell McCall of Houston, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services, Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church, 501 Weems Street, Picayune. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m.

Brown’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.