Orneita Burton

Orneita Burton was born April 6, 1957, in Blytheville, Arkansas, and was the daughter of the late Rennie and Everlena Gray. Orneita was a faithful Christian, serving humbly in the church and community until her passing.

As a professor of Operations Management, Information Systems (ERP, E-Commerce, Business Intelligence/Data Analysis), and Microeconomics at Abilene Christian University (ACU), she worked diligently even as her health began to fail.

Dr. Burton was a remarkable woman, and in 1980, she became one of the first Black female Chemical Engineering graduates from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She would later earn a Master's in Management Science from the University of Central Texas (now Texas A&M), and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Arizona State University.

A devoted advocate for higher education, Dr. Burton established the Rennie and Everlena Gray Endowment Scholarship at ACU and was honored as the university's Online Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. On August 30, 1986, she joined in holy matrimony with her beloved husband, Dwain C. Burton, with whom she shared 39 wonderful years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rennie and Everlena Gray; two brothers, Rennie Gray Jr. and Vernon A. Gray; and one sister, Emma Jean Gray-Banks.

Dr. Burton is survived by her loving husband, Dwain C. Burton; two sons, Jonathan Burton (Jennifer) and Brian Burton (Jessica); her cherished grandchildren, Axel, Kleio Liliana-Beatrice, Myra, Jericho, Mayva, and an anticipated baby boy expected in November. She is also survived by two brothers, William E. Gray, and Michael R. Gray (Teresa); and six sisters: Evelyn Fisher (A.J.); Janett Gray Hardaway (John); Denice Bland (George); Lisa Hunt (Kenneth); Treva Gray; and special sister-niece Angela Anderson (André); along with Donna Rice, Mona Jenkins (H.E.), and multiple nieces and nephews.

Dr. Burton's lifelong passion for education was evident in her achievements, which included numerous certifications in Artificial Intelligence, Accounting Information Systems, and Blockchain Technology, and extensive training credentials from institutions like the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Air Force Academy. At the time of her death, her published works included over 50 publications and presentations.