TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Dr. William Thomas "Skip" Carter, Jr. 1947-2016 Son of the 20 th Grand Polemarch Dr. William T. Carter Sr. To both col-
Degree and two years later earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education Degree. Reverend Burton was ordained to the ministry in 2012. Reverend Bur- ton served as an Associate Minister at St. James Baptist Church in Varina. He also ministered to the members of St. John Baptist Church of Tappahannock. On June 4, 2017, Reverend Dr. Bruce Burton, Sr. was installed as the twelfth pastor of the historic St. James Baptist Church of Milford. He loved pastoring the church family of St. James. A photographer and entrepreneur, Burton was well known for his profes- sionalism and the exceptional quality of his work. He cultivated his gift for photography to help countless individu- als chronicle significant milestones and special occasions. Hewould eventually combine his love for theological stud- ies, passion for photography, and gift for teaching students of all ages to complete a Doctorate of Ministry degree in 2017, focusing on the power of photography and digital imagery in the 21 st century church. Burton was celebrated for his love for God, warm personality, wit and wisdom. He was gifted in teaching, caring for others and helping them to feel well- loved and respected. He was a man of many talents and hobbies, thoroughly enjoying playing tennis, gardening, play- ing Jeopardy and watching good movies. Of all his accomplishments and affilia- tions, The Reverend Dr. Bruce Burling- ton Burton’s greatest joy was his family. He leaves to continue his legacy and cherish his memory his devoted and lov- ing wife, Mary T. Burton, two daughters: Davonda Smith (Rashaun) and Christine Stephenson (Christopher), a son: Bruce Jr., one granddaughter: Rosalind Elyse, three sisters: Linda Dove, Troy Burton and Charlotte Monroe, one brother: Charles Burton, Jr. (Mimi), sister-in-law: Elizabeth Rouse (Marshall) and a host of relatives, church family, friends and former students.
Rev. Dr. Bruce B. Burton, Sr. 1953–2019 Minister, Educator
Bruce B. Burton, Sr. (Petersburg (VA) Alumni 1983) entered the Chap- ter Invisible on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the age of 65. Reverend Dr. Bruce Burlington
leagues and patients, Dr.
William Thomas “Skip” Carter Jr. was always pro- fessional, respect- ful, a good lis- tener, easygoing, and an entertain-
Burton, Sr. was born the youngest child of Charles H. Burton, Sr. and Josephine R. Burton on December 23, 1953 in Essex County, VA. Raised in Tappahan- nock, VA, Reverend Burton received his early education in the Essex County Public School System. Following his parents’ directives, he would regularly attend church service at First Baptist Church, and was eventually baptized in the chilly waters of the Rappahannock River as a youth. Burton was involved in the church and community in various capacities, serving on the junior usher board and as a lifeguard at the com- munity swimming pool. After graduating from Essex High School, he matriculat- ed to college, earning a bachelor of sci- ence degree in special education and a Master of Education from Virginia State University located in Petersburg, VA. Burton was a career teacher, working with students for over 40 years in King William County and Henrico County Public School Systems. For over 20 years, he taught at the Henrico Juvenile Detention Center in Henrico County. Burton led his family in becoming members of St. James Baptist Church in Varina. VA. He served as a doorkeeper, church school teacher and leader of the Karakul Kraal Sheepfold. In 1999, Bruce was ordained a deacon, eventually serv- ing as Chairman of the Deacon Ministry. On June 28, 2010, Bruce answered God’s calling to “feed my sheep,” and was licensed to “preach the gospel”. In 2011, he graduated Magma Cum Laude from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union Univer- sity (STVU) with a Master of Divinity
ing storyteller. For Skip, being a physi- cian was a privilege. He believed he was merely God's conduit, using his head, heart, and hands to help His people. The son of the 20th Grand Polemarch Dr. William T. Carter Sr. (Epsilon 1929), Dr. William Thomas Carter Jr. passed into the Chapter Invisible on August 25, 2016. Skip was a 1963 initiate of the Fisk University Chapter, the Alpha Delta of Kappa Alpha Psi. Skip lived a life of service whose goal always was to make someone feel happy and comfortable. From his earliest years as a precocious kid, he had a presence that some described as "bigger than life," coupled with an athlete's confidence and heart, and a ready smile. Raised in Petersburg, VA, Skip and his family traveled frequently, enjoying time with relatives and friends across the country. During those formative years, he learned about the family's legacy of academic excellence and service. His first cousin, the 47th Laurel Wreath laureate Dr. Samuel D. Proctor (Alpha Phi 1938), a renowned minister, college president, and humanitarian, was perhaps best known as a mentor and friend to Martin Luther King Jr. Skip's father, past Grand Polemarch Dr. William Thomas Carter Sr., was a college professor who was assigned to various foreign and domestic posts in the service of the U. S. Government. His mother, Hermione Hughes Carter, a schoolteacher, loved her son unconditionally. A handwritten note from his mother, dated August 2, 1982, affirms: "Happiness is making others happy." This simple yet profound
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