Harvey Gene Burton, affectionately known as "Bobby", a celebrated musician, educator, and artist, was
born February 25, 1939 in Baldwyn, Mississippi to the late Lena Mae Agnew. He was lovingly raised by his
late parents, Frank and Viola Burton.
Harvey attended the beloved Easom High School from 1953 through 1957, the only school in Corinth
serving Black students at the time. It was in this incubator of Black excellence that he discovered he was a
gifted artist and musician. Upon graduation, he attended Mississippi Valley State on an art scholarship.
However, during his freshman year, a professor recognized his profound passion for music and
encouraged him to pursue it. Heeding this advice and inspired by fellow Mississippi natives like the
immortal Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, Harvey transferred to Jackson State University, his sophomore year
where his talents secured him a music scholarship.
It was at Jackson State that Harvey's life took a pivotal turn. Immersed in the vibrant music scene, he
became an active member of the university's marching and jazz bands. Weekends saw him leading his own
jazz and blues band, performing at school dances, proms, and events across Mississippi. More importantly,
Jackson State was where he met the love of his life, Ms. Doris Campbell.
Harvey was head over heels for his wife Doris for a multitude of reasons. However, everyone can concur
that there was nothing Harvey loved more than a good meal. The gorgeous, delightful, demure and
vivacious Doris Campbell was not only elegant, witty and well spoken. She could cook! Harvey loved eating
every one of her dishes. Harvey committed to his marriage and to building a family with Doris. Their
commitment to each other enabled them to traverse what was a circuitous beginning in Bay St. Louis, MS
where they both had accepted teaching positions at Valena C. Jones High School.
Harvey's music career was thriving as a school band director by day and a member of a band that
performed alongside legends such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf on the weekends. After
two years they decided to relocate to Chicago. Harvey lived in Chicago, but a big part of his heart
remained in Mississippi. As he integrated himself and his family into the colorful fabric of life on the south
side of Windy City, he still managed to spend endless hours on the road driving home to visit with loved
ones and family. His impromptu trips to his "motherland" of Mississippi were legendary
After moving to Chicago, Harvey taught at various schools and the music man quickly found his way to the
windy city music scene. Harvey believed that you either "Go BIG or Go HOME!" Hence, Chicago was the
perfect place for his musical journey to flourish. He worked as a session musician collaborating with iconic
artists including Aretha Franklin, Jackie Wilson, Count Basie, Frankie Beverly and Maze, James Brown,
Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and a plethora of other famous musicians.

Harvey and Doris were blessed to bring two beautiful girls into the world, Dena and Jori. Harvey was a
"Girl Dad," before it was in vogue to be one. He was the dad who supported his daughters' dance recitals,
pom pom performances, fashion shows and cotillions with his camera in tow, bearing a mega-watt smile.
He was proud of each and every achievement that Dena and Jori accomplished and was not beyond
declaring that they were both "fearfully and wonderfully made." Not only was Harvey a devoted dad to his
biological daughters, he opened his heart wide and adopted many of their friends, children from the
neighborhood and his band students. The testimonies of those who he nurtured are infinite.

Life was marvelous and he wanted to capture life with his camera, his paintbrush,
his pencil, his trombone and sing life out loud in color.

"Don't know much about history, Don't know much about biology,
Don't know much about a science book, Don't know much about the French I took.
But I do know that I love you, And I know that if you love me to, What a wonderful world this would be."
– Sam Cooke, 1960

Life in the Key of Harvey Burton

Harvey created masterpieces and was committed as his purpose to reflecting back to the world
- the rest of us -the beauty he saw in all of creation

"For this child we prayed."
– 1st Samuel 1:27

Harvey established himself as one of the greatest high school marching band directors in the country. As
the renowned band director for Chicago's King and Corliss High Schools, he earned numerous awards and
accolades. Under his leadership, the band experienced some of its most unforgettable moments, including
annual performances in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and at Jackson State for homecoming. And, of course,
there was the infamous baton incident involving Arnold Schwarzenegger during their performance at the
opening of Planet Hollywood.
His mentorship paved the way for countless students to secure music scholarships, master the art of
music and marching band, and pursue careers in the arts. Today, his former students perform on stages
around the world.
If this wasn't enough, Harvey reconnected to his gift as a visual artist. Residents of Chicago's South Side
would often find him at the intersections of Stony Island and 95th Street, showcasing and selling his
creations—paintings, stuffed animals, handmade stools, and what would become iconic for his signature
pillows and heart pillows.
Faith, family, art, music and community were all intertwined in the life that Harvey lived. From a young
age, Harvey's life was deeply rooted in faith. He embraced Christianity early on and was baptized at City
Road Temple C.M.E Church in Corinth. When he and Doris moved to Chicago, they also became members
of Third Baptist Church of Chicago. Harvey took his faith walk seriously, studying the Bible in Sunday
school, usher board, and completing 4 years of discipleship training. He was a faithful and fun member
until his transition.
There was nothing that Harvey Burton loved more than a good movie. He could spend hours lost in the
cavern of a dark movie theater with a big, ginormous box of buttered popcorn. He loved it when good
triumphed over evil - in life and on screen. We can attest because of the life that Harvey Burton lived that
not all superheroes wear capes - some carry trombones - and just like David played on his harp they play
until the Glory of God comes down. Harvey was that kind of superhero.
Harvey passed from this life into eternity on February 20, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was preceded
in death by his parents: Frank and Viola Burton, Lena Mae Agnew, Samuel P. Hercey; sisters: Mary "Red"
Burton, Sarah Gaye; brothers: Ray J. Agnew, Stefan E. Agnew, Calvin L. Burton, Samuel Hercey, James
Hercey, and Sylvester Williams.
He leaves behind a legacy through his devoted wife of sixty-two years, Doris; daughters: Dena LaVonza
Burton and Jori Lynn Thibodeaux (Chris); grandchildren: Jai Christopher Thibodeaux and Cori Chanel

Thibodeaux; brothers: Johnny Agnew (Paulette); Herman Hercey (Lois); sisters: Manya K. McLoyd; sisters-
in-loves Alice Agnew, Theresa Agnew, Margaret Burton, Eartha Campbell, Virginia Williams, Diane Thibodeaux Ashby (John) ;

sister and brother in love Myrtis and Sterling Martin; Godson Troy Maurice Williams, and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, Godchildren, friends, JSU family, 108th street neighbors, band student boobies and
faithful friends.
Harvey was compulsively driven to create, and confident in all of his work—a true creative genius. His life
and golden smile were a testament to passion, dedication, hard work, and love. His contributions to music,
education, and art left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Life in the Key of Harvey Burton