Charles “Buddy” Finney Burton, 90, known to most as Buddy, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on Aug. 4, 2023. Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church, LaFayette, Alabama, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. The funeral was at 2 p.m. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Buddy was born on April 20, 1933, to Sara Myrtle and Jake Burton in LaFayette, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ben and Jimmy Burton; and one sister, JoAnn Burton Heath. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lynda Langley Burton, three children; Camille Burton Mentzer (John), Charles Burton (Allison), and Celeste Burton, five grandchildren; Brittany Burton NesSmith (Dillon), Brooke Burton, Jake Burton, and Reagan and Riley Mentzer and one great-granddaughter, Charlee Brooke NesSmith.
Buddy was a graduate of LaFayette High School and Southern Union Junior College. He also attended Auburn University. He proudly served in the United States Navy for three years. After completing his naval service, Buddy returned to his hometown, LaFayette, and bought his first plot of land on which he began his life-long dream of farming. Over the years, Buddy received many farming awards, including 1973 Farm Family of the Year, the 1988, 1989, 2001 and 2002 District Farm of Distinction, and the 2002 Alabama Farm of Distinction awards. In addition to farming, he was also the owner and operator of a pulpwood and logging business.
Buddy was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of LaFayette where he served as a Sunday School teacher and a deacon. He was also a longtime member of the Chambers County, the Alabama and the National Cattlemen’s Associations.
He was a loving and supportive husband and father to his wife and children, a doting Papa to his grandchildren and a faithful friend to many.
