Debby Burton has announced her plans to retire after 28 years on the Wilshire staff. Her last day will be Dec. 31.
For most of her time at Wilshire, Debby served as executive assistant to the senior pastor, working with George Mason for 24 years and then with Timothy Peoples. In 2024 she scaled back to part-time and became assistant for Pathways to Ministry.
“Twenty-eight years ago, I entered ‘a new beginning’ on staff here at Wilshire. In 2026, I will enter ‘a new beginning’ called retirement,” Debby said. “I have been in a season of discernment for over a year. I worked through the book The Next Right Thing — recommended by Geri McKenzie — and sought council from mentors to help me through this huge decision. This process finally led me to have the courage to move on without regret, realizing my work here is done.”
Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “Debby has poured her heart, her time and her unwavering faith into this church. Through seasons of joy and challenge, Debby has been a steady presence — guiding, encouraging and lifting others up with grace. Her dedication has shaped lives, strengthened families and deepened the spiritual foundation of our community. We celebrate not just the years she served, but the lasting impact of a life lived in faithful service. We will miss her competitiveness, puzzle-making strategies and cheerful attitude.”
Debby came to Wilshire in 1997 from First Baptist Church of Garland, where she was secretary to the associate pastor. At Wilshire, Debby has at various times coordinated funerals, served as church clerk, managed the Columbarium, served as staff liaison to various committees and ministry teams, coordinated outreach and care ministries, worked closely with deacons and coordinated Sunday morning office volunteers.
She was involved in the early days of the pastoral residency program and returned to that work as the Pathways program relaunched after a brief pause during Wilshire’s pastor transition.
Pathways Director Charlie Fuller said, “I’ve so appreciated Debby’s work and support during our short season of working together. She brings deep responsibility to her work, important institutional memory, an eye for detail and has in so many ways, both personal and professional, been a thoughtful, compassionate supporter. Debby has been an incredible asset to me, to Pathways and to Wilshire!”
Debby and her husband, David, have been married since 1982. Their two sons, Andrew (known as Doo in Wilshire Student Ministry) and Josh, grew up at Wilshire.
Debby said in her next phase she plans to “turn off the alarm clock, change my wardrobe to sweats, work jigsaw puzzles, expand my library of books and discover new opportunities that interest me.”
Of her time at Wilshire, Debby said: “The faces in the chairs have changed, but the mission of building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ has remained the same. I am grateful for my time in the chair I sat in and will forever remember the experience, joy and relationships I take with me.”