Obituary
As Jesus hung on the cross, the seventh word he uttered was a word of completion – "It is finished."
John 19:30

Pastor Sylvia Burnett Payton was born to the late Mrs. Samilian Brown Scott and the late Mr. Lloyd Berteaux in 1947. She finished this course of life on January 23, 2025 with praises of victory.

Spiritual Life
At an early age, Pastor Payton was baptized by Rev. Richard Rayborn, Sr. and became a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She continued to serve at her church until her marriage to the late Minister Joseph H. Burnett in 1969. Later, she joined the Do Right Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Robert Craig. After the death of Rev. Craig, Pastor Burnett Payton continued to serve under the leadership of the late Rev. John H. Burnett, Sr., who ordained her into the ministry in 1993.

In 2002, Rev. Burnett Payton returned to Mt. Olive under the leadership of Pastor Myron Jones. She worked as his assistant until she was appointed Pastor on July 4, 2010.

Education Life
Rev. Burnett Payton graduated from Lowery High School in Donaldsonville, La. in 1965. She went on to attend and graduate from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. with a B.S. in English in 1970 and a Masters in English Education in 1976. She was employed with the Ascension Parish School Board as an educator for 33 years. She retired in 2004.

Social Life
In 2006, Sylvia married Mr. Herman Payton and they faithfully served God together at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Later, Minister Payton joined the  East Ascension Ministerial Alliance in 2011 to engage in fellowship with surrounding churches and pastors. She resigned in 2019.

Pastor Burnett Payton leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Herman Payton Sr., three daughters from her marriage to the late Minister Joseph H. Burnett – Sanseeahray Burnett of The Woodlands, Texas, Lanarcisus Burnett (Lionel Lacey), of St. Gabriel, La., and Cherrino  (Anthony) Nelson of Geismar, La. A son of "affection", Purnell (Pamela) Scott. One daughter from marriage, LaSonya (Jarvis) Stevens and two step sons, Herman (Christy) Payton, Jr. and Lance (Alexis) Payton both of Gonzales, La. Eleven Grandchildren: Carvis Burnett (affectionately called "Son"), Miasia, Chasity, and Faith Joseph, Kaniya Burnett, Austin, Ansley, and Axel Nelson, Jacelyn Lewis, Landon Payton, Layton Payton, Liam Payton, Xavier Payton, and Ajax Payton. Three great-grandchildren: Ka'Lai Anderson, Carmi and Carvis Burnett, Jr. Two sisters: Carol (James) Brown of Baton Rouge, LA, and Jada Berteaux of Seattle, Washington. Beloved niece Rochelle Brown of Baton Rouge; Two godchildren Minister Michael (Christy) Burnett and Jessica Johnson. Caring friends; Shelia Irvin, Susie Camel, and Cynthia Ricard Johnson, devoted neighbors, along with a host of sisters in-law, brothers in-law, nieces, nephews, church members and friends.

Pastor Burnett Payton was preceded in death by her first husband Minister Joseph Hayward Burnett, her mother Samilian Scott, father Lloyd Berteaux, father in-law Rev. John H. Burnett, mother in-law Zerdia Burnett, Father in-law Esau Payton, grand-daughter Justice Burnett, a devoted niece Tiffini Brown, loyal cousins Jackie Rodney and Robert Lawson, Sr. and a devoted friend Barbara Friendship.