Mrs. Annie Martha Butler

Annie Martha Daniels Butler: Life of Faith, Dedication, Strength, and Grace Annie Martha Daniels Butler, a devoted servant of her faith, family, and community, was born on October 16, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Sallie Mae Daniels and John Wesley Daniels. On November 21, 2025, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by family. Annie's educational journey began in Birmingham before she and her mother relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. A bright and eager student, Annie excelled in her studies, graduating in 1960 from John Hay High Commercial School (now Cleveland Early College High School), where she completed the stenographer pathway that would launch her professional career. Her deep and abiding faith was central to her life. In November 1954, Annie accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized at St Paul AME Zion Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where she served on the junior usher board. Her commitment to service continued when she joined and was baptized again at New Light Baptist Church in 1961. After moving to upstate New York, she attended Salvation Army Church, Second Baptist Church, and Randall Baptist Church. At Second Baptist Church, she embraced significant roles, serving as a deaconess, a Vacation Bible School teacher for fifth- and sixth- grade girls and boys, and a member of the drama team. Following a move to Decatur, Georgia, her family joined Abundant Life Church (now Cross Culture Church) on Easter Sunday in 1984. Here, she dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring as a children’s church worker, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Connect Group leader. She developed lifelong relationships while serving in these roles. Annie's professional life began shortly after high school graduation, where she first served as a secretary to the executive director of the Welfare Federation in Cleveland, Ohio. From August 1963 to December 1968, she held a pivotal role as coordinator and office manager at League Park Center, coordinating programs like Youth Corp and Head Start. In this role, she managed payroll, bookkeeping, and the annual budget; she supported six social workers, and supervised workers and exchange students from countries including India, Germany, and Sweden. It was during this time that she had the distinct honor of meeting and shaking the hand of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.---a memory she treasured and often recounted. She also met Jesse Jackson, who visited the League Park Center numerous times, and recalled the Black Panthers holding meetings there. On August 6, 1960, Annie married Jerry Butler, embarking on a marriage that spanned 65 years. From this union, they welcomed three children: Jerry Jr., Lisa, and Shaun. After Lisa was born, Annie transitioned to her most cherished role as a stay-at-home mother, dedicating her time fully to her children. Each day before school, she made breakfast and packed lunches, preparing Lisa’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich to perfection. She was a fixture on the sidelines as a devoted football mom and basketball and baseball fan for Shaun. She provided transportation for school, sports practices, tap, ballet, and piano lessons, and actively supported Girl Scouts as a Brownie mom and helped with Boy Scouts. After the family moved to Decatur, Georgia, in 1983, Annie re-entered the professional workforce. She began at Pitney Bowes as a receptionist and assistant to the manager in the mailing division. She later moved to the Imagistics division, processing orders for sales representatives. She retired in 2005 as a Senior Coordinator, supervising two employees. In her spare time, Annie cultivated a passion for learning, collecting a wide selection of books on topics such as nutrition and spiritual guidance, which were among her most prized possessions. She also enjoyed experimenting with new recipes and cooking gadgets and was an avid fan of NBA basketball, often cheering and praying for her favorite players. Annie Martha Butler was, in every sense, the epitome of a Proverbs 31 virtuous woman, leaving a legacy of faith, dedication, strength, and grace to those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Annie was preceded in death by her father, John; her mother, Sallie; her sister, Josephine; and her son, Jerry Jr. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; her daughter, Lisa (Lingo); her son, Shaun; her grandsons, Jerry III, and Stephen; her great-grandson, Stephen Jr.; and a host of cherished uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Mrs. Annie Martha Butler

October 16, 1942 - November 21, 2025