Rev. Lawton Burt, 83, of Dawsonville, died Friday, June 12, 2009.

Born Sept. 13, 1925, to the late Luther and Luna Burt, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County.

A Baptist minister for 57 years, after he was ordained he served as pastor of 16 churches.

In addition to his ministry, he was a retired poultry and cattle farmer and worked for many years as a homebuilder.

He was a former director of Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation for 25 years, was a former member of the Dawson County Board of Education, served on the board of directors of First Community Bank and was a member of Juno Baptist Church and Etowah Lodge #222 F&AM.

His sister, Melva Tatum and a grandson, Neal Burt, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Aline Burt of Dawsonville; children, Linda and David Thompson of Locust Grove, Jane and David Ralston of Blue Ridge, Glen and Robin Burt, Hazel Stowers, all of Dawsonville; brother and sister-in-law, James and Diane Burt; grandchildren, Cris and Ricky Nabors, Amy and Steve Sinnamon, Elizabeth Ralston, Matthew Ralston; great-grandchildren, Alex Nabors, Dalyn Guinn and Kayla Guinn; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 15 at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Dennis Bottoms, Gerral Richards, Phillip Burt and Michael Cantrell officiating.

Interment followed in the Juno Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested be made to the Juno Baptist Church Building Fund, 3185 Elliott Family Parkway, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.