Nancy H. Butler

Nancy Randolph Harrell Butler, 88, of Winchester, Virginia, died Friday, November 25, 2011, in her home at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury.

Mrs. Butler was born in 1923, in Emporia, Virginia, the daughter of the late Lyman Christian and Martha “Mattie” Harrell. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Elliott Butler, her brother, Lyman Christian Harrell, and sisters, Martha H. Jean Hutchison and Elizabeth H. Vaughan Sohmer, and brother-in law, H.W. “Bill” Butler, Jr. She is survived by her loving children, Helen Butler Garrett, of Williamsburg, VA, Joseph Thomas Butler and his wife, Sharon, of Winchester, VA, Jane Butler Ashbaugh and her husband, Don, of Leesburg, VA and Stuart Elliott Butler, Sr. and his wife, Cynthia, of Winchester, VA, six grandchildren, Kristin Randolph Lajoie and her husband, Michael, Byron Butler Garrett, Caroline Ashbaugh O’Neill and her husband, Timothy, Marguerite Butler Ashbaugh, Stuart Elliott Butler, Jr., and Nathaniel Hartley Butler, two great grandchildren, Joseph Butler Lajoie and Whitney Ann O’Neill. Also surviving are her sister Lucille Harrell Keedwell, her sister-in-laws Duane Curtis Harrell, Rose Ellen R. Butler, Anne Butler Vaughan and her husband, John and a host of loving nieces, nephews, their spouses and children.

Mrs. Butler had been a member of Braddock Street United Methodist Church since 1946 where she taught Sunday school for 35 years, served on the Board and was a Trustee, was active in United Methodist Women and served as a Circle Leader, Vice President and received a Life Membership. She also led interdenominational bible study groups for many years.

Mrs. Butler graduated from Farmville State Teachers College (Longwood University) in 1946 where she graduated Cum Laude and was a member of several honor societies. Mrs. Butler taught and substituted at John Handley High School and Winchester Public Schools for a number of years. She was a member of Old Fredericktowne Garden Club, which she joined in 1952, and served as President. She was honored with a Life Membership and an award was named in her honor for traditional flower arrangement. In addition, a maple tree was planted by her Garden Club in her honor on the campus of John Handley High School. She had a true love for gardening and arranging flowers.

Mrs. Butler spent her lifetime in service to her community, and was involved in a diverse group of charities and causes. She taught English to Vietnamese immigrants through the Frank Louback Literacy Program and also volunteered with the Family Visitors Group, providing support to nursing home residents for over 22 years. Mrs. Butler was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution for many years and served as 1st Vice Regent. She also belonged to the Retired Teachers Association.

Pallbearers will be Byron Butler Garrett, Stuart Elliott Butler, Jr., Nathaniel Hartley Butler, Randolph Christian Harrell, George Robert Jean, Taylor Christian Vaughan, William Bunyan Vaughan, and John David Vaughan.

Honorary Pallbearers will be H.W. Butler, III, Pat Barr, Harold Patton, Boykin Bird, Donald Stewart, Richard Boyd, Jim Barnett, Carter Kellas, Gary Spitzer, Denny Bromley, John Anderson, J.D. Berlin, Donald Cline, George Snider, Jimmy Omps, Dick Adams, Bill Clement, Jack Phillips, Chuck Rodgers, and Reverend Mack MacDonald.

The family is very grateful to the dedicated staff of Westminster-Canterbury and Blue Ridge Hospice for their compassionate support and care of Mrs. Butler.

The family will receive friends in The Commons at Westminster-Canterbury on Friday, December 2nd from 7-9 PM. A funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 PM on Saturday, December 3rd at Braddock Street United Methodist Church with a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at Mount Hebron Cemetery at 3 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Winchester Education Foundation 14 N Braddock St., Winchester, VA 22601, Braddock Street United Methodist Church 115 Wolfe St., Winchester, VA 22601, or Blue Ridge Hospice 333 W Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601

Arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, Winchester, Virginia. Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.