Clinton David Burleson

The Reverend Clinton David Burleson, 83, a United Methodist minister for six decades in Arkansas, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Fox Ridge Assisted Living Center in North Little Rock. Clint was born in Nashville, Ark., to C.H. Burleson and Martha Adams Burleson and raised in Gurdon, Ark. He was a graduate of Gurdon High School in 1948 and Hendrix College in 1952. He lettered for the Hendrix Warrior Football team, playing four years under Coach Ivan Grove. While at Hendrix, Clint met Shirley Simpson, the beginning of a union that was to last 59 years. Clint and Shirley moved to Dallas in 1953 where Clint attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Their first charge was the Rosser circuit, consisting of several small churches southeast of Dallas. Clint served as senior pastor at several Methodist churches which include St. Andrew UMC in Arkadelphia, Wesley UMC in Pine Bluff, Oak Forest UMC in Little Rock, First United Methodist in West Memphis, First United Methodist in Camden, Lakewood UMC in North Little Rock and First United Methodist in Little Rock. He also served as the Superintendent of the Paragould, Forrest City, Jonesboro and Little Rock Districts. He was active in Methodism on all levels. His service to the church included membership on the boards of Hendrix College, Philander Smith College, Camp Aldersgate and Youth Home. While senior pastor at First United Methodist, he was instrumental in the planning and construction of the Child Development Center in downtown Little Rock. In 1970, he received a honorary doctorate from Hendrix College. He served as a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference, General Conference and was a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Denver, Colo. in 1971. In retirement, Clint joined his family and became a strong and active member of Lakewood UMC, where he continued his teachings and ministry in any way he could. Clint is preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley Simpson Burleson, daughter Lucy Horton of North Little Rock, sister Carolyn Staggs of Plano, Texas, and son-in-law Richard Hall of Union City, Tenn. Survivors include his brother, Joe Burleson of Little Rock, daughter Katie Hall of Union City, Tenn., son David Burleson (Angela) of North Little Rock, son-in-law Terry Horton of North Little Rock, and grandchildren Amanda Addison (Brent), Stephanie Hall, Andrew Hall, Matthew Horton, Amber Horton, Lindsey Horton, Alyssa Burleson, Lexie Burleson and Leah Burleson. The family would like to thank those at Fox Ridge Assisted Living Center in North Little Rock who offered Shirley and Clint friendship and care over the past three years. A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 21 at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Child Development Center, 8th & Spring Streets, Little Rock, or the Lakewood UMC Endowment Fund. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.