In this post, Lisa shares a special tribute to her Father and his commitment to a life as God’s servant and man of character. What better way to learn about proper social etiquette and how to interact with others than through a wonderful example?!
As an Etiquette expert and consultant, I considered ideas to write about for Father’s Day. Then it hit me. I had the best example of a person of character…my Dad! His name was Quince Lamar Burton.
Stories of my Dad’s Character
Church
I remember after I was grown and married and working in Atlanta, one of my colleagues came up to me and said, “your Dad is a true man of God and knows how to be a sin blocker.” She explained that their pastor’s wife had had an affair with the local banker. My Father was the chairman of the board of deacons at the time. The pastor was leading a vibrant and thriving congregation and the church was growing by leaps and bounds. My friend explained that my Dad had called a meeting with the deacons of the church and clearly gave direction as to what would be done. He called upon them to bring in the pastor and his wife. The deacons prayed over the couple and my Father told the pastor’s wife that she would stand before the church and apologize. My Father also said that the pastor would stand before the church and insist that the congregation put this to rest, forgive and support the couple. Wow!!! The result? Two marriages were restored, the church continued to grow and Satan was defeated. Oh Glory! What a servant of God. My father never mentioned the affair and instructed the deacons to support each other. He instructed all the men to pay attention to the emotional health of their wives.
Fast forward to 2002, when my Dad and Mom moved to Newnan, Georgia to live next door to my husband and I. They immediately joined Peachtree City First Baptist Church. At 70, my Dad was elected to the board of deacons and named chairman. What I realize today was that those who served under my Dad were much more educated than he was, but he was the leader. He never aspired to be in charge he was just always elected to be the chairman. Why? Internal Character. Oh Glory, if all dads could only realize today the importance of clean living, our world would be so different.
Workplace
I remember my Dad’s boss at Lockheed coming to my Dad’s 60th birthday party and telling me over and over how Quince was the best man he had ever known. He told me he would never be able to replace Quince. Why? He said he could trust him and always count on him for spiritual encouragement. My Dad’s job was to install the lights on the landing gear of the C130. Everyone knew that Quince Lamar Burton would sound the alarms if the job was not done to perfection.
Family
In his last days, my Dad spent his time instructing his son-in-law, grandsons and myself how to live. My husband was 10 years younger than my Dad, yet he looked to him throughout our marriage for spiritual guidance. Before we were married, my father spoke these words at my engagement dinner – “This is my daughter and I am proud to have you as my son-in-law. If you ever harm her ‘I will kill you’.”
Throughout my parents’ 32-year marriage, they didn’t fuss, argue or have cross words. Respect was always present when my Dad was in the room.
Fast forward to my Dad’s grandchildren. From time to time, I would talk to my Father about my husband’s accomplishments and the accomplishments of my children. He would ask me if they were living right and walking with Christ.
When my first son went to the Naval Academy, I remember my Dad requesting to go to the Naval Academy as my son would be sworn in. He went and what a support that was for my Jim and Jim Jr. to have Quince aboard praying blessings. My Father repeated the journey of prayer for all four of his grandsons as they entered the Naval Academy and West Point.
My Dad’s granddaughters did not have that privilege because he developed dementia. Even so, he pushed himself to attend all six of the graduations of his grandchildren. My Dad attended Laine Long Hoffer’s graduation in 2015 and attended (in a wheelchair) the swearing in ceremony for Lindy Long Jones into the Air Force the week of graduation.
Quince Burton never worried about whether his grandchildren would graduate or what their grades or future would look like. He was concerned about their character, though. He prayed constantly and would ask them about their life and encouraged them to live as Christ has outlined for us to live. He would often remind them of Romans 3:23, which says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Another favorite was Romans 6:23, which says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- 2010, James Long, United States Naval Academy
- 2011, Samuel Q. Long, United States Naval Academy
- 2012, Dr. Charles Anthony Long, West Point
- 2013, John Christopher Long, West Point
- 2015, Laine Long Hoffer, United States Air Force Academy
- 2017, Lindy Long Jones, United States Air Force Academy
Oh GLORY! My Dad passed away in January 2018 and in November 2019 my husband followed him in death. I’m so thankful for my Father’s wonderful example of a dad and grandfather.
Community and Military
Quince Burton was on the local school board and was again named chairman. He served four terms and could not be beat. That’s because he would take every phone call and listen to every problem. People loved him dearly. It helped that he was incredibly handsome as well.
One time, a big storm hit Cartersville and many people were stranded on I75. My Dad led a team of 50 men with trucks to rescue families and bring them to the church for shelter. In the meantime, my Mom led a group of women to cook soup and prepare bedding for the stranded. These were people in need…and my parents were glad to serve them.
At my Father’s funeral, a man approached me and told me he was a CEO at Chick-fil-A. He said that my Dad had knocked on his door when he was 22 and invited him to church. That knock changed his life and he said he would have driven 1000 miles to attend Quince Burton’s funeral.
In addition to serving his community, my Dad also served his country. He was a private in the Air Force and was honorably dismissed to return home and care for his father and take care of their farm.
My Dad’s Personal Relationship with Jesus
My Dad served God his entire life. Christ was first. He was a no-nonsense person and simply did not comprehend sin. He lived to do what was right and I always wondered why he was not more ambitious. Today, I realize he was ambitious and was far smarter than I ever imagined.
Quince understood the power of God. He committed his life to Christ, he lived his faith and no amount of money, power or achievement ever tampered or got in front of his faith. He tithed and worried about who would go to Heaven and Hell.
Oh Glory. My Dad never saw race, socioeconomic status or lived with any prejudice in his heart. He loved all. The only thing I remember that he hated was sin. His peers and pastors would call him the sin stopper. He faced things head-on and was never afraid of a fire. He would reprimand and then love. He had no problem standing in the middle of a fire. What a difference he made.
These stories I’ve shared are to be a message – Fatherhood that’s influenced by Christ produces strong men and women of character.
Today, I give thanks for Quince Lamar Burton who led the way. He looked to his Heavenly Father for all. He tithed and never analyzed why he should not give 10 percent. He obeyed and God provided.
While growing up, I was a happy child but never realized how touched I was by an angel. It is his teachings of the importance of obedience to Christ that have enabled me to persevere and move ahead when life takes a turn and tragedy comes.
Overview of my Dad’s Life
My Dad never drank alcohol or smoked. He never gained weight and worked hard to grow our food. He exercised and never spent his time dwelling on anxiety. He would just let it out. He didn’t need anti-anxiety meds, but depended on help from God through prayer and Bible study.
Because of my Dad’s trust and God’s provision, I was able to attend college on a full scholarship. Six of Dad’s grandchildren were able to attend United States Military academies as well.
My case for tithing a percentage of your money to God – Dad had one child and six grandchildren who attended college for FREE! We are instructed to tithe, and we can and never will be able to outgive God.
My Dad was committed to his family. He delayed college to care for his parents. Later, he enrolled in Georgia State and completed a 2-year program.
He worked for Western Electric for 30 years and worked as an electrician for Lockheed Martin for 15 years. Again, he was elected as President of CWA Communication Workers of America.
Quince also traveled across the USA to help secure job equality for many.
- Graduate of Crawfordville High School, 1950
- Georgia State, 2 years
- United States Air Force (Private), 2 years
- Western Electric Installer, 30 years
- Lockheed Martin, 15 years
- Husband of 61 years to Pat Burton
- Father-in-law to Dr. James R. Long (deceased), 31 years
- Father of Lisa Burton Burdette (husband, Elliott Burdette)
- Grandfather of six
- James R. Long Jr. – Wife Huamin Long, great-granddaughter Maria Long, baby Long on the way
- Samuel Quince Long – Wife Dr. Jenna Long, great-grandsons. Quince Samuel Long, William Long
- Dr. Charles A. Long – Wife Dr. Racheal Long, great-granddaughter Thayer on the way
- John C. Long – Wife Chloe Long, great-granddaughters, Alice, Margot
- Laine Long Hoffer – Husband Luke Hoffer, great-granddaughter Lila Hoffer, great-grandson Lincoln Hoffer
- Lindy Long Jones – Husband Tyler Jones, great-grandsons Jett and Dash Jones
- Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Tabernacle Baptist Church
- Chairman of The Barrow County School Board
- Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Peachtree City First Baptist
- A Soul Winner for Christ
My Thanks to a Man of Character who also happened to be a Great Example for Social Etiquette
A few days before his death, Dad and I watched the celebration service for Dr. Martin Luther King. Dad’s words were to me, “Lisa, people want respect. People need Christ. Always, look for the good and you will be happy.”
Today, there’s no story about the sins of my Father. Instead, there are blessings from him. What a trust that has been left behind for the next generation.
It’s my prayer that I can carry out his desire for servanthood with my family, friends and community. Oh Glory, thank you God, for this opportunity.
It’s also my prayer that all will fall before God and will think daily about what they will leave behind. First, we must know God, then we must strive to engage daily with our Heavenly Father and serve Him. Last, we must obey God’s teaching and the road map that has been written for our guide to life.
Today, I know there is a celebration in Heaven for all the fathers. Lord Jesus, I humbly give You thanks for the blessing that mine was to me!
