Ralph Burton Sr.

Ralph Gray Burton, Sr., 81, of Prince George, Virginia, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 6, 1940, he was the son of the late Stanley Chesterfield and Lorena Constance (Connie) Ramsey Burton.  Ralph was also preceded in death by his grandson, Jonathen Gray Burton and sister-in-law, Carolyn Butler Burton. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Diane Kingery Burton; son, Ralph Gray (Jody) Burton, Jr. and wife, Kelly; son Anthony Dean (Tony) Burton; son, Stanley Christopher (Chris) Burton and wife, Stephanie; daughter, Lori Dingas Thompson; grandchildren, Karleigh Anne and Morgan Pressley Burton, McKenzie Elisabeth Moneymaker, Cody Keith Early, Owen Brian and Evan Riley Kirkpatrick, Taylor Gray and Leilani Camille Burton, Jaelynn Marie, Skylar Belle, Scarlet Anne, and Sadie Mae Burton, Taylor Noel and Michael Emory Thompson; great-grandchildren, Jonathen Gray Burton, Jr., Emery Elisabeth Moneymaker; brother, Wayne Franklin Burton; sister, Patricia Ann Burton Hopper and husband, Lee; devoted father and mother-in-law, Jack and Betty Kingery;  beloved uncle, cousins, nieces and nephews.  Ralph proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1960-1966. He was aboard the USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) from 1962-1964, where he achieved the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class Petty Officer.  After serving in the military, he was employed at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company as an electrician.  Upon retirement, he was a self-employed electrical contractor with Pre Con Inc. Chester, VA.  Ralph served as a volunteer for Chesterfield County Police Department Motorist Assist Unit from 2006-2008 and served as a Trustee for the Petersburg Baptist Association. He was a longtime member of Smyrna Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including on the Board of Directors. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Smyrna Baptist Church, 18971 Carson Road, Dinwiddie, Virginia 23841.  Interment will following in Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, South Prince George, Virginia 23805.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service at Smyrna Baptist Church. Facial coverings are encouraged.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smyrna Baptist Church or to the Chesterfield County Police Foundation, P.O. Box 1684 Chesterfield, Virginia 23832.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Crater Road Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.