First Lady Marilyn Burton is a native of Washington, DC. She attended parochial schools in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and furthered her education at Howard University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Southeastern University. After giving almost 40 years of dedicated federal service at six different agencies, she retired from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in January 2017.

First Lady Burton is the devoted help meet of Reverend Garfield Burton, Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church, located on Stanton Road in Southeast Washington, DC. Together, they have enjoyed nearly 40 years of marriage and are the proud parents of Ashley M. Lockley (Franklin) and Brandon G. Burton (Natalie). Additionally, the Lord charged them with being spiritual parents to the late Gregory F. Stanback, Jr. (Shauntia), and they take great joy in being grandparents to Arden Joy Burton, Harper Grace Burton, Quinn Moriah Burton, Ocean Levi Burton, Romael Javar Lockley, Judah Xane Lockley, and Gregory F. Stanback III.

Sister Burton accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in February of 1984. She united with the Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the esteemed pastorate of the late Dr. D. Lee Owens. At Zion, she attended training sessions and seminars on leadership, evangelism, stewardship, and prayer, and served in various capacities, including Vice Chairlady of the Deaconess Ministry, Evangelism Counselor and Contact, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher, Sunday School Clerk, Gospel Chorus and Women’s Day Choir member, and President of the Matron Mission. Sister Burton was called upon to perform a variety of administrative tasks as well.

In March of 1995, the Spirit of God led the Burton Family to unite with the Glendale Baptist Church (now known as The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square), under the leadership of Pastor Anthony G. Maclin. While at Glendale, Sister Burton attended workshops on leadership and missions, and participated in the Ministers’ Wives and Women’s Conferences. She was also a Deaconess and a member of the Ministers’ Wives, Christian Education, and Policy and Procedure Ministries, and served with her husband as a Co-Coordinator of Stewardship Education for the Lifestyle Capital Stewardship Campaign.

On February 2, 2003, Sister Burton’s beloved husband became the Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church. First Lady Burton considers it an honor to not only be married to this awesome man of God, but also to have him as her Pastor and Spiritual Mentor. Through his guidance, she continues to grow and be strengthened in her Christian walk.

As she did in her previous churches, First Lady Burton goes about Macedonia doing whatever she can to be a blessing to the people of God and to the Church Ministry. She was instrumental in organizing the Daughters of Virtue, the Young Daughters of Virtue, and the Sons of David Ministries. She leads the Church Administrative Staff and the Hospitality Ministry, and is currently Macedonia’s Minister to Women. Outside of Macedonia, she allows herself to be used by God to publicly address women on various topics for the edification of the Body of Christ. In doing so, she has blessed many with words of encouragement, inspiration, and comfort. Moreover, she has held membership in the Baptist Ministers’ Wives and Widows Association of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity, Incorporated; the District of Columbia Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows; and the Interdenominational Council of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity.

First Lady Burton possesses a very deep love for God and a sincere passion for God’s people. She is known for doing whatever is necessary, day or night, to carry out the divine vision given through her Pastor for God’s people and to advance the Kingdom of God. She seeks to glorify God in all that she does. Because she has sat under the tremendous leadership of three very dynamic and innovative shepherds, First Lady Burton is well trained for ministry. She tirelessly gives of herself in all of her endeavors, for her goal is to receive the reward of a “good and faithful servant” when she meets her Savior face to face.