Lary Miner Burton

Lary Miner Burton of Montgomery, AL, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on July 1, 2024 surrounded by his family at Baptist South Medical Center in Montgomery. Born on May 2, 1948 in Birmingham, AL, he was the second “surprise” twin son of Smiley Porter and Elsie Janice Miner Burton. He weighed less than 2 pounds at the time of his birth, but his size would certainly not impede his strong personality or his tenacity for life. Lary was a devoted and supportive son, brother, husband, father and “Papa Lary”. His family remembers him for his consistent presence, sharp mind and quick sense of humor. Lary was also a brilliant teacher and passionate teacher of the Bible. He loved his students and found the classroom to be his second home.

Lary met Judith Renee Massey at Pintlala Baptist Church in 1965 at the age of 15 while leading revival services alongside his twin brother, Gary. Lary and Judy married in 1971 and they had 2 children, Emily Amykaryl (Amy) Burton Hutto born in 1974 and Lary Andrew (Drew) Burton born in 1976.

Lary graduated from West End High School in 1966. He went on to study at Samford University later graduating from from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS with a Bachelor of Arts in 1972. Lary taught middle and high school and served as youth and music minster in various churches throughout rural Alabama including Berney Points Baptist Church, Hueytown Baptist Church, Providence Baptist Church in Gallion and Millry Baptist Church before moving to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to pursue his graduate degrees. He completed his Masters of Divinity in 1987 and Doctorate of Philosophy in 1992 with an emphasis in New Testament Greek and Hebrew. While in New Orleans, he served as Minister of Music at Elysian Fields Avenue Baptist Church from 1982-1992. Additionally, he worked as an Adjunct Professor teaching in the associates program at NOBTS, where he was dearly loved and respected by his students and colleagues.

After graduating with his doctorate in 1992, the family moved to Montgomery, AL where Lary worked faithfully at Sears & Roebuck Co. while also teaching World Religions at Troy University at Montgomery and New Testament Greek at Birmingham Theological Seminary. Additionally, during the past 25 years he served at several churches in the Montgomery Baptist Association including Pinedale Baptist Church, Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church and Pintlala Baptist Church as interim minister of music. Since retirement, Lary has enjoyed spending his time reading, studying, watching Jeopardy, teaching Sunday School at Pintlala Baptist Church and enjoying time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Lary was predeceased by his father, Smiley Porter Burton and mother Elsie Janice Miner Burton. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Judith Renee Massey Burton, his twin brother, Gary Porter and wife Jerrie Sager Burton, daughter, Amy and husband Chris Hutto, son Drew and wife Paige Burton and his grandchildren Stratton (26) and wife Carlie Porter, Stella Elizabeth Burton (21), Sophia Renee Burton (19), Emily Katherine (Emma) Hutto (15), and Sybil May Burton (10) and great-granddaughter Elizabeth (Ellie) Taylor Porter (11 months).

A Celebration of Life for Lary Burton will be held on Saturday, July 6th at Pintlala Baptist Church located at 73 Federal Road, Hope Hull, AL 36043. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM followed by the Service at 11:00 AM.

Burial will be on Tuesday, July 9th at 1:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Gardens South located at 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, AL 35244.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Pintlala Baptist Church at https://pintlalabaptist.com/online-giving-w-eft/.

Donations may also be made to the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary designating your contribution to the Gary Burton and Lary Burton Scholarship Fund #18-3450-335 at https://www.nobts.edu/donate/default.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.nobts.edu/donate/default.html (https://www.nobts.edu/donate/default.html)