LANCASTER—Mary Elizabeth Johnson Butler entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
She was born February 5, 1929, to the late Fredrick “Shadie” and Leona Tate Johnson in Farmers Fork, Richmond County. She was educated in the public schools of Richmond County, graduating from Richmond County High School in 1947.
Later, Mary attended Rappahannock Community College (RCC) where she received her certificate as a nurse aide and was later licensed by the State of Virginia as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Between high school and becoming a CNA, Mary held a multitude of jobs which included a nanny in Wilmington, Del., mushroom factory worker in Kennett Square, Pa., a substitute teacher in Westmoreland County, a domestic for various families, a driver for the Red Cross van, a Lancaster County public school bus driver, a seamstress at the Bre-Co. Inc. sewing plant in Lively, CNA at Lancashire Convalescent Home, Kilmarnock, and Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, Irvington, from which she retired. After retiring, Mary returned to work as a private duty nurse for several families.
She had many interests. She loved flowers and working in her flowers. So, she decided to take a class in flower arranging at RCC. She also took a bartending class at RCC. Mary loved to travel. She traveled to many places, went on several cruises and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to places in North America, South America and Europe with the late Francine Savoy Waddy.
At an early age, Mary was baptized and became a member of Galilee Baptist Church, Montross. In later years, she became an active member of Willie Chapel Baptist Church, Lancaster. She was one of the founding members of the Willie Chapel Flower Club and later became a member of the Usher Board. She sewed for many people which included making uniforms for the Ushers, outfits for the Gospel Chorus and choir robes for the Junior Choir.
Mary was married for 59 years to the late Cephus McKinley Butler Sr., this union was blessed with four children.
She was predeceased by her mother and father; her sister, Dorothy; brother, Joseph; and daughter, Iris.
Our mother was an exceptional human being, soft spoken, loving, kind and caring. We loved our mother. However, God loved her best. To her children and many who knew her she was a classy and dignified lady. We can imagine her tending to the heavenly flowers.
Cherishing Mary’s memory are her children, two devoted daughters, Jacquelyn B. Blackwell (Eli), Portsmouth; Roberta B. Dorman, Kilmarnock; and a devoted son, Cephus M. Butler Jr. (Maxine) Gloucester; grandchildren, Lori Blackwell, Stacy Williamson (Mark), Shanay Butler and Ryan Butler (Brianca); great-grandchildren, Ariana Butler, Eli Williamson, Luke Williamson and Oliva Williamson; an aunt, Mary Tate, Warsaw; a brother-in-law, Judge E. Morris (Peggy); a special friend since childhood, Levernia Veney, Warsaw; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of her life and legacy was held Saturday, June 1, at Willie Chapel Baptist Church, Lancaster, with Reverend Rose M. Curry, pastor, officiating.
Services of comfort and trust provided by the Berry O. Waddy Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
