Mark Duane Burford

Mark Duane Burford, age 75, of Talbott, passed into Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at his residence. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He loved and adored his family. Mark moved to Morristown to be associate manager of JC Penney’s in 1972 and worked there until 1978. He transitioned to full-time Christian ministry in 1978. He served as principal of Lakeway Christian School for ten years. Then, in 1988, he accepted the call of God to become pastor of Open Door Baptist Church of Morristown where he ministered for twenty-four years. He was also the pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Talbott for five years. Throughout his ministry at both churches, he was very active and supportive of many mission endeavors and traveled around the world for the cause of Christ. He served on the Board of Beacon International Baptist Missions for twenty-five years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and athlete; he also found great enjoyment working on his small farm. In his retirement years, he was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleo Jack and Mary Burford. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Rebecca Burford; daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Brian Sulfridge and Catherine and Enoch Wilson; grandchildren, Ethan (Rebecca) Wilson, Catelyn (Tommy) Vernon, Layla Sulfridge, Eric Wilson, Alan Sulfridge, and Caroline Wilson; great-grandchildren, E.J. Wilson, Vivian Wilson, Wayde Vernon, and Barrett Vernon; brother, Terry (Sue) Burford; sister, Sheila (Steve) Jaworski; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gordon and Kathryn Millspaugh; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express appreciation to Dr. Delay and Dr. Ramaprasad, the hospice nurses, and his caregivers, Pam, Ashley, Vanessa, and Camry for their excellent service and care. Mark was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, January 16th at Westside Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, January 17th at Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City with Pastor Mark Campbell, Pastor Ron Simmers, Pastor Ethan Wilson, and Pastor Enoch Wilson officiating. The body will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.

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