Byron Elmo Butler

Published 12:08 am Monday, April 25, 2011

May 19, 1912 — April 23, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Byron Elmo Butler, 98, who died April 23, 2011, in Natchez, will be 2 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Everett Elzey officiating.

Burial will follow at the Butler family cemetery in Franklin County under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. Monday until service time at Laird Funeral Home.

Elmo, as he was known to many, was born May 19, 1912, in Knoxville to Robert Ray Butler and Irene Leake Butler, the youngest of four children. Elmo was a veteran of World War II in which he served our country as a medic, receiving the Purple Heart from wounds during the European campaign with the Seventh Armored Division. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Knoxville, married Margaret Berryhill and together they reared four children. Raising children was the most difficult job he ever had, he said many times. A lifelong farmer, he was also a logger, a timber buyer and a landsman in order to support his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Margaret L. Berryhill Butler, one son, John Leake Butler, his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Survivors include one daughter, Blanche DeLaughter; two sons Morris Elmo Butler and wife, Barbara Rose Butler and Ray Ward Butler and daughter-in-law Cindy Butler Tarver, all of Natchez; five grandchildren, Tracy Henry and husband Eddie Ray Henry, Margaret Ann Butler, Jaquetta Lynn McCranie and husband, Anthony C. McCranie, John Christopher Butler and wife, Chandra, Ramey Shea Butler and wife, Jennifer Butler and 12 great-grandchildren. Special friends are Gail Cooper and Jeany Waite.

Pallbearers will be Morris Butler, Ray Butler, Christopher Butler, Eddie Ray Henry, Joe Ernst and Mitchell Rushing.

Honorary pallbearers are Ramey Butler, Harvey Cobb, Mark Whitney and Steve Reed.

May he rest in peace.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.