Margaret Butler

Obituaries

Wednesday, 28 September 2022 12:11

Margaret Jo Spears Butler, 83, born on Thursday, April 13, 1939, went to be with her lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, September 11, 2022. Funeral services were held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at Rudder Funeral Home. Jo was then laid to rest next to her husband at Union Cemetery.

Jo was born to the marital union of Joe and Gussie Spears in Scottsboro, and she was their only child. She was raised by her parents and had shared with her family many times that her maternal grandparents, Kaye Kaye and Big Daddy Ziegler were highly involved in her raising. Jo’s father worked primarily in construction, and her mother was a schoolteacher, teaching special education for most of her career.

Jo was a 1957 graduate of Woodville High where she met the love of her life, William Butler. They were married in 1958, and their first child, William Troy was born in 1959 with their second child, Stella Kaye born in 1962.

Jo and William raised their children for 20 years in Stevenson with Jo working as the secretary for the high school there many years. Following her secretarial career, she began working at First Federal Savings and Loan, where she was quickly promoted to branch manager. Throughout Jo and William’s time in Stevenson, they were highly active in their community. Jo was a member of The Mother’s Club, and in 1977 she was awarded Mother of the Year. She was also actively involved in the Jaycee-ettes, a civic organization that partnered with the Jaycees, of which William was a member. During her and William’s tie in the Stevenson Chapter, the organization helped to make major improvements to the Stevenson City Park. Throughout their years in there, they were active members in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

In 1980, William and Jo moved to Mount Pleasant, Texas and lived there throughout their remaining years. After the move, Jo soon began working for Security Savings and Loan, where she was again promoted to branch manager. Throughout her 42 years in Mount Pleasant, she and William were active members of the First Presbyterian Church there, with Jo involved in the Presbyterian Woman Circle #4, and she also held the office of treasurer as well as other offices over the years. She was also involved in the Senior Korweldeen and held numerous offices in the club. Upon retirement, Jo and William joined the Good Sam’s camping club and enjoyed many trips across the United States with their Good Sam’s friends.

She is survived by her son, William (Jeri) Butler; daughter, Stella Ratzlaff; son-in-law, Randal Ratzlaff; granddaughter, Kaylee (Aaron) Self; grandsons, William (Morgan) Butler, William Ratzlaff; granddaughter, Hannah Ratzlaff; great-granddaughters, Lawsyn Self, Karsyn Self, Avery Butler; numerous nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William Butler; both of her parents and grandparents.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the caregivers at CenterWell Home Health for the care they provided to Jo. Also, a deep, heartfelt appreciation to Simone Davis who was Jo’s personal caregiver over the past 18 months and the love and friendship that developed between the two of them.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, Texas or to Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Stevenson.