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Dear Esteemed Members of the MSR Community,

It is with profound sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Dr. Orneita Gray Burton, on October 5th, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Dr. Burton was not only a brilliant scholar and inspiring leader within our community but also an embodiment of kindness and compassion. Her impact on the Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR) field was immeasurable, touching the lives of countless scholars and shaping the direction of our research.

Orneita possessed a rare gift for nurturing connections and fostering growth within our academic family. Her dedication to mentorship, her unwavering faith, and her deep humanity made her a pillar of support for many of us. In times of struggle, she was a beacon of hope, offering her time and wisdom generously to those in need.

As we mourn this tragic loss, let us also celebrate the incredible legacy Dr. Burton leaves behind. Her scholarly contributions, leadership, and the relationships she forged will continue to inspire and guide our community for years to come.

For those wishing to pay their respects, a visitation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM. The funeral service will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606.

The full obituary can be found at: https://www.elmwoodfuneral.com/obituaries/orneita-burton

I encourage you to share this news with others in our community who may not have heard, so that we may collectively honor Dr. Burton's memory, support her family in this difficult time, and reflect on the profound impact she had on each of us and on our field as a whole.

Let us hold Orneita, her husband Dwain, and their family in our thoughts and prayers as we remember a truly remarkable woman whose light will continue to guide the MSR community forward.

With deep sorrow and gratitude for her life,

Tom Culham

MSR Chair  

Dear Esteemed Members of the MSR Community,

It is with profound sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Dr. Orneita Gray Burton, on October 5th, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Dr. Burton was not only a brilliant scholar and inspiring leader within our community but also an embodiment of kindness and compassion. Her impact on the Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR) field was immeasurable, touching the lives of countless scholars and shaping the direction of our research.

Orneita possessed a rare gift for nurturing connections and fostering growth within our academic family. Her dedication to mentorship, her unwavering faith, and her deep humanity made her a pillar of support for many of us. In times of struggle, she was a beacon of hope, offering her time and wisdom generously to those in need.

As we mourn this tragic loss, let us also celebrate the incredible legacy Dr. Burton leaves behind. Her scholarly contributions, leadership, and the relationships she forged will continue to inspire and guide our community for years to come.

For those wishing to pay their respects, a visitation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM. The funeral service will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606.

The full obituary can be found at: https://www.elmwoodfuneral.com/obituaries/orneita-burton

I encourage you to share this news with others in our community who may not have heard, so that we may collectively honor Dr. Burton's memory, support her family in this difficult time, and reflect on the profound impact she had on each of us and on our field as a whole.

Let us hold Orneita, her husband Dwain, and their family in our thoughts and prayers as we remember a truly remarkable woman whose light will continue to guide the MSR community forward.

With deep sorrow and gratitude for her life,

Tom Culham

MSR Chair  

Dear Esteemed Members of the MSR Community,

It is with profound sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Dr. Orneita Gray Burton, on October 5th, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Dr. Burton was not only a brilliant scholar and inspiring leader within our community but also an embodiment of kindness and compassion. Her impact on the Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR) field was immeasurable, touching the lives of countless scholars and shaping the direction of our research.

Orneita possessed a rare gift for nurturing connections and fostering growth within our academic family. Her dedication to mentorship, her unwavering faith, and her deep humanity made her a pillar of support for many of us. In times of struggle, she was a beacon of hope, offering her time and wisdom generously to those in need.

As we mourn this tragic loss, let us also celebrate the incredible legacy Dr. Burton leaves behind. Her scholarly contributions, leadership, and the relationships she forged will continue to inspire and guide our community for years to come.

For those wishing to pay their respects, a visitation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM. The funeral service will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606.

The full obituary can be found at: https://www.elmwoodfuneral.com/obituaries/orneita-burton

I encourage you to share this news with others in our community who may not have heard, so that we may collectively honor Dr. Burton's memory, support her family in this difficult time, and reflect on the profound impact she had on each of us and on our field as a whole.

Let us hold Orneita, her husband Dwain, and their family in our thoughts and prayers as we remember a truly remarkable woman whose light will continue to guide the MSR community forward.

With deep sorrow and gratitude for her life,

Tom Culham

MSR Chair