Funeral Information
Location:
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Date: 07-29-2023
Time: 1:00 PM
Time: 1:00 PM
Visitation Information
Location:
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Mr. Elijah Butler, the son of Frank and Violet Johnson Butler, was born on February 15, 1922, on the Hickory Hill Farm in Greenville (Madison County), Florida. Affectionately known as “Eli” or “Mr. Eli”, he was a resident of the county his entire life.
Many loved ones who preceded Mr. Eli in death were his wife: Phyllis Butler; children: Joyce Bruton and Henry Butler; parents: Frank and Violet Butler; aunt and uncle who raised him after his parents’ death: James (Ella B.) Johnson; grandparents: Otis (Laura) Johnson; sisters: Clara Butler Beasley, Betty Butler Smith, Gladys Butler Roberson, and Louise Butler Hampton; brothers: Amos (Muddew) Butler, Andy Butler, James Butler, Robert Butler, and Churn Butler; grandchildren: Vince Eunice, Pamela Green and Latoya Butler; great granddaughters: Angel Crumity and Taliaya Davis; and great-great-granddaughter: Ra’Mya Eunice.
Growing up in the rural community, Mr. Eli learned many life lessons. He was taught early in life the importance of responsibly helping to provide for family. Likewise, he learned that the 3 R’s (reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic) were valuable tools for survival and success. Having learned these basics, he was promoted from his one-room school and was then eligible to attend Greenville Training School. (Both schools were for Black students only.)
During his employment career, Mr. Eli worked in the logging industry and then at Florida Plywood. However, he retired in 1992 with more than 20 years of dedicated service as the custodian at Madison County High School.
Mr. Eli’s golden years of retirement were spent raising his grandchildren, watching westerns (especially those featuring the legendary John Wayne), and otherwise, just enjoying life itself. Also, whatever he could do to help others in the neighborhood, he did so with a cheerful spirit.
Mr. Eli was a legend who was blessed to have lived 101 years that also bridged the 20th and 21st Centuries. He experienced many historic events such as The Great Depression, US Wars (WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, Middle East), Civil Rights struggles, desegregation of schools and businesses, establishment of voting rights (He voted for Barack Obama, the first Black President of the US and years later, Kamala Harris, the first Black (and only female) Vice President of the United States), and observation of space travel. Likewise, there were many conveniences such as electricity, landline and cell phones, televisions, automobiles, microwave ovens, and other things that most take for granted today.
God, however, saw that Mr. Eli had gotten tired and was ready to depart this earthly life. Therefore, He chose Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as the day for Mr. Elijah “Eli” Butler to come home. He was the last family member in his generation to cross over to the glorious shore. His legacy and fulfillment of purpose as the “Patriarch” of the Butler family and his being an inspiration to five generations is a blessing worthy of thankfulness to God.
It is hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. Those who will forever cherish Mr. Elijah Butler’s life, love and devotion to family are his daughters: Janice Butler and Gloria Butler Jones, both of Madison, FL, Nellie Mae Sykes of Jacksonville, FL, Kathleen (Ernest) Wooten, Phyllis Butler Hampton, Elizabeth (Roosevelt) Manor, all of Greenville, FL; sons: Kenneth (Joyce Ann) Butler of Madison, FL, George Brooks of Valdosta, GA, Abraham Brooks of Hamilton County, FL, Donald Butler of Spokane, WA, Larry Arnold and Eli Butler, Jr., both of Monticello, FL, Alonzo (Lizzie) Butler of Syracuse, NY, and Willie Davis of Fall River, MA; special nephew: Mike Smith of Attapulgus, GA, and devoted granddaughters: Lafaye Alexander, Ashley Hampton, and Latonya Scott; 65 grandchildren; 155 great-grandchildren; 63 great-great grandchildren, and one great-great-great grandchild; as well as countless other sorrowing relatives and compassionate friends.
Many loved ones who preceded Mr. Eli in death were his wife: Phyllis Butler; children: Joyce Bruton and Henry Butler; parents: Frank and Violet Butler; aunt and uncle who raised him after his parents’ death: James (Ella B.) Johnson; grandparents: Otis (Laura) Johnson; sisters: Clara Butler Beasley, Betty Butler Smith, Gladys Butler Roberson, and Louise Butler Hampton; brothers: Amos (Muddew) Butler, Andy Butler, James Butler, Robert Butler, and Churn Butler; grandchildren: Vince Eunice, Pamela Green and Latoya Butler; great granddaughters: Angel Crumity and Taliaya Davis; and great-great-granddaughter: Ra’Mya Eunice.
Growing up in the rural community, Mr. Eli learned many life lessons. He was taught early in life the importance of responsibly helping to provide for family. Likewise, he learned that the 3 R’s (reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic) were valuable tools for survival and success. Having learned these basics, he was promoted from his one-room school and was then eligible to attend Greenville Training School. (Both schools were for Black students only.)
During his employment career, Mr. Eli worked in the logging industry and then at Florida Plywood. However, he retired in 1992 with more than 20 years of dedicated service as the custodian at Madison County High School.
Mr. Eli’s golden years of retirement were spent raising his grandchildren, watching westerns (especially those featuring the legendary John Wayne), and otherwise, just enjoying life itself. Also, whatever he could do to help others in the neighborhood, he did so with a cheerful spirit.
Mr. Eli was a legend who was blessed to have lived 101 years that also bridged the 20th and 21st Centuries. He experienced many historic events such as The Great Depression, US Wars (WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, Middle East), Civil Rights struggles, desegregation of schools and businesses, establishment of voting rights (He voted for Barack Obama, the first Black President of the US and years later, Kamala Harris, the first Black (and only female) Vice President of the United States), and observation of space travel. Likewise, there were many conveniences such as electricity, landline and cell phones, televisions, automobiles, microwave ovens, and other things that most take for granted today.
God, however, saw that Mr. Eli had gotten tired and was ready to depart this earthly life. Therefore, He chose Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as the day for Mr. Elijah “Eli” Butler to come home. He was the last family member in his generation to cross over to the glorious shore. His legacy and fulfillment of purpose as the “Patriarch” of the Butler family and his being an inspiration to five generations is a blessing worthy of thankfulness to God.
It is hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. Those who will forever cherish Mr. Elijah Butler’s life, love and devotion to family are his daughters: Janice Butler and Gloria Butler Jones, both of Madison, FL, Nellie Mae Sykes of Jacksonville, FL, Kathleen (Ernest) Wooten, Phyllis Butler Hampton, Elizabeth (Roosevelt) Manor, all of Greenville, FL; sons: Kenneth (Joyce Ann) Butler of Madison, FL, George Brooks of Valdosta, GA, Abraham Brooks of Hamilton County, FL, Donald Butler of Spokane, WA, Larry Arnold and Eli Butler, Jr., both of Monticello, FL, Alonzo (Lizzie) Butler of Syracuse, NY, and Willie Davis of Fall River, MA; special nephew: Mike Smith of Attapulgus, GA, and devoted granddaughters: Lafaye Alexander, Ashley Hampton, and Latonya Scott; 65 grandchildren; 155 great-grandchildren; 63 great-great grandchildren, and one great-great-great grandchild; as well as countless other sorrowing relatives and compassionate friends.