Royal Burt

Lonoke-Royal Clinton (RC) Burt, was born in Dierks, Arkansas on July 8, 1934 and passed peacefully from this life at his home in Lonoke surrounded by much of his family on April 2, 2020.  He was the son of Mack Duff and Lou Ella (McClure) Burt.

He was saved at age 10 at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Dierks and surrendered to the ministry in 1952 serving as a faithful pastor of two Arkansas churches-Old Union at Lockesburg (1955-58) and Union Hill at Bradford (1956-57).  Also, five churches in Texas-Hubbard Chapel, Dekalb (1958-60); Friendship, Clarksville (1960-65); Carthage Missionary Baptist, Carthage (1965-70); Liberty, Fort Worth (1970-75) and Tanglewood, Atlanta (1984-96).  And, one church in Oklahoma-Unity Baptist, Duncan (1975-84).  He was presently serving as Associate Pastor of New Testament Baptist Church, Lonoke (1996-2020) and assisted at Family Resource Services of Lonoke.  Royal holds higher education degrees in Bible Languages from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock; Master of Theology from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, Texas; and Bachelor of Applied Ministries from Oklahoma Missionary Baptist College Institute and Seminary (OMBC) in Marlow, Oklahoma.  He received an Honorary Doctorate from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary.  He also taught at OMBC several years.

Royal is survived by his wife of 65 years, Vivian LaVonn (Staton) Burt of Lonoke, sons Stanley (Pamela) of Dickinson, TX; Richard (Karen) of Texarkana, TX; and Scotty (Kim) of Wake Village, TX.  Grandchildren are Terri Kelly of Magnolia TX; Ashley (Cameron) Woodruff of League City, TX; Nicholas (Amanda) Burt of Bryant, AR; and Mackenzie Burt and Hunter Burt of Wake Village, TX.  His first two great grandchildren are due this year-Emerson Paige (Nick and Amanda) and Baby Boy Woodruff (Ashley and Cameron).

Rev. Burt was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lloyd, Leon, Doyle “Bud”, Leroy, and Norman “Hooty”; sisters Oleta “Sis” Whisenhunt and Ozella “Bea” Rogers.  Also, his special niece Pat Burt Kelly.

He was well-known by his family and church members as someone who loved to cook and shared his pies, jellies, and preserves with many.  He also enjoyed taking campers to the summer church camps and served as Director at Bogg Springs, Mena, AR; Pine Springs, Laneville, TX; and Cedar Hill, Binger, OK.  Most of all, he loved his family and serving the Lord.  He was a good and faithful servant of the ministry for 67 years.  He was a Master Mason from Clarksville, TX Lodge #16.

Pallbearers are Gaylon Pearson, Rick Gautney, Mike McMullen, Brian Martin, Ronnie Carter, and Kevin Howell.

Honorary Pallbearers are Don Brooks, Roger Barnett, Norman Evans, Jack Fitzhugh, Tommy Aultman,  James Mowrer and the Ambassador’s Sunday School Class of New Testament Baptist Church.

Funeral arrangements are being provided by Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke with service to be held at Legate Cemetery 4 pm on Sunday the 5th of April.  Bro. Tim Ward of New Testament Baptist Church will be presiding.