Obituary for Florence Theresa Butts
Mother Florence Butts was born March 14, 1931 in Jasper, Alabama to Benjamin and Ada Mixon. She died Monday, January 21, 2019 at her residence after a brief illness. She met and married John Butts in 1948 and they were married for 68 years until his death in August 2017. From their union four children were born: Theresa (Baomi), Gregory, Larry and Wanda Jean.
Florence accepted Christ at an early age in Alabama. She moved to Toledo as a teenager, and attended and graduated from Edward Drummond Libbey High School in 1948. She learned to play the piano as a young child. She was a founding and life long member of the Indiana Ave Missionary Baptist Church which was organized in 1946. Mother Butts served as the first pianist and the first Minister of Music, retiring in 1977 after 30 years of service. She was also a member of the Mothers Board and a Charter member of the J.V. Prince Mission Guild.
She was employed by Toledo Public Schools, starting as a Parent Partner, and retired as a Secretary in the Pupil Personnel Department after 20 years of service. Mother Butts was an encouragement to many, often inspiring them to do their best and reach their full potential in the service of the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers, Benjamin, Paul and Frank; her beloved husband, John; youngest son, Larry; and grandson, John-Joshua. She leaves to cherish her fond memory: daughters, Baomi (Robert G.), Wanda Jean; son, Gregory (Geraldine); grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins,and many kind friends.
Florence accepted Christ at an early age in Alabama. She moved to Toledo as a teenager, and attended and graduated from Edward Drummond Libbey High School in 1948. She learned to play the piano as a young child. She was a founding and life long member of the Indiana Ave Missionary Baptist Church which was organized in 1946. Mother Butts served as the first pianist and the first Minister of Music, retiring in 1977 after 30 years of service. She was also a member of the Mothers Board and a Charter member of the J.V. Prince Mission Guild.
She was employed by Toledo Public Schools, starting as a Parent Partner, and retired as a Secretary in the Pupil Personnel Department after 20 years of service. Mother Butts was an encouragement to many, often inspiring them to do their best and reach their full potential in the service of the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers, Benjamin, Paul and Frank; her beloved husband, John; youngest son, Larry; and grandson, John-Joshua. She leaves to cherish her fond memory: daughters, Baomi (Robert G.), Wanda Jean; son, Gregory (Geraldine); grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins,and many kind friends.