Burton Lamar Elliott

Dr. Burton Lamar Elliott, 91, died on August 3, 2022, at home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Burton was born on October 7, 1930, in Ripley, Mississippi, to Van Elliott and Lillian Taylor. Burton led a life in service of others and felt it was his duty to serve his country, his community, and those less fortunate. A 1948 graduate of Charleston High School, Burton studied at Fort Smith Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He served as a sergeant in charge of radio communications in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, Burton devoted his life to improving the lives of others across the state. He enrolled in the University of Arkansas where he earned Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees in education. His philosophy on education was simple: "We need what's best for the kids." Through years of coaching, teaching science, and leading schools as principal, Dr. Elliott fostered a system that believed in kids. In the words of a student, he created an environment that gave students dreams and the support to pursue them. After leading the Siloam Springs school district for 14 years as superintendent, he was named the Director of Education for the state of Arkansas under Governor Bill Clinton. In later years, he worked with the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators and finally as the Director of the Northwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative, retiring in 2006. During his career, Burton served on the Siloam Springs Hospital Board, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Kiwanis Club. He was selected as Superintendent of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 1989. Burton was an avid outdoorsman, loving nothing more than an early morning on Beaver Lake or teaching his grandchildren how to use a cane pole in the backyard creek. He and wife Beverly travelled extensively, enjoying sunsets over the Pacific in Cabo San Lucas, banding hummingbirds at Cook's Lake in east Arkansas, and watching whales breach in Alaska. He was a loving husband and father that cared deeply for those less fortunate, often stopping to help those in trouble and providing food and clothing for those hungry or cold. His family and friends will always remember him as a loving, generous, loyal, and caring person. He will be greatly missed. Burton is survived by his wife, Dr. Beverly Reed Elliott of Fayetteville; son, David Elliott and wife, Brenda of Fayetteville; bonus children, Kimberly Reynolds and husband Tom, Katherine Dees and husband Todd, J.R. Reed and wife Leslie; and grandchildren Catlyn Elliott, Lauren Schallhorn and husband John, Amber Reynolds, Alex Reynolds, Samantha Dees, Zachary Dees, Austin Dees, Evan Reed, Addison Reed, and Amelia Reed. He is also survived by his siblings, Wayne Elliott and wife Pam of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Naomi Martine of Charleston, Arkansas, and sister-in-law, Doris Elliott of St. Louis, Missouri. Burton was preceded in death by his first wife, Willie Elliott; son, Burton Timothy Elliott; and brother, Donald Elliott. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 13, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. There will be a private burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook, please visit: www.bernafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville.