Betty Nell

Butler

Betty Nell Whittle Butler, 96, of Thomasville, GA passed away peacefully, in her sleep, in the early morning hours of February 21, 2025.

Betty was born in Sycamore, Florida, the daughter and youngest child of Norton F. Whittle and Bessie Alline McDonald Whittle. She married Alex L. Butler on August 22, 1954. After they married, they settled in Thomasville, where Alex was a captain of the Thomasville City Police Department.

Betty graduated from Greensboro High School, Greensboro, FL, in 1947. After graduating, she attended Florida State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Science in 1951. Her first stint with government employment came while working in the office of Governor Charley E. Johns at the Florida State Capitol. The bulk of her career life, however, was spent working with Civil Defense/FEMA as a budget certification officer. She dearly loved her job and the people with whom she worked. In 40 years of employment with Civil Defense/FEMA, the only sick days she used were in relation to maternity leave that she took with the births of her two sons.

For 71 years, Betty was a devoted and enthusiastic member of Dawson Street Methodist Church. For many years, she worked in the youth department as a Sunday School teacher, finally teaching a senior ladies Sunday School class. She was an active and dedicated member of W.S.C.S. and U.M.W. circles. For more than 25 years, Alex and Betty opened their home up to all the youth of Dawson Street Methodist for "afterglow" following Sunday evening church services. They always prepared and served "supper" to 20+ hungry teenagers - letting them move freely around the house where they visited, watched T.V., or played pool. This weekly and enjoyable ritual was affectionately referred to by all attendees as "going to Butlers"

Betty was an absolute joy and a "mother extraordinaire." To her entire family (following the birth of her first grandchild) she proudly took on the name of Nana - her favorite title to date. Left with many precious and cherished memories are her sons, A. Bruce Butler (Jo), Kenneth F. Butler (Jami) of Thomasville; grandchildren, Lauren E. Butler of Thomasville, Harrison C. Butler of Tallahassee, FL, Matthew D. Butler (Abigail) of Louisville, KY, and Savannah G.L. Butler of Thomasville; great-grandchild, Eleanor M. Butler of Louisville, KY; a bonus grandchild Ian Mathew, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband Alex L., her infant grandson Blake Butler, her parents Norton and Alline Whittle, her siblings Hazel Gertrude Whittle Alday, William Quinn Whittle, Otho Woodrow Whittle, Rev. Norton Felton Whittle, Alva McDonald Whittle, Herschel Keith Whittle, James Kennard Whittle, and Winton Oziel Whittle.

A service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Dawson Street Methodist Church. The family will receive friends and family on February 23, 2025, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Whiddon Shiver Funeral Home.

In Betty's memory, donations can be made to the ongoing ministry of Dawson Street Methodist Church, 1132 N. Dawson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792, (229) 226-3013.