Mary Warren Christ Butler

by Lynn McMillen
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Mary Warren Christ Butler, 102 years old, died on November 22, 2022, at her home in Huntsville. She was born to Arthur Christ and Evelyn (Woodruff) Christ. She attended the University of Alabama, where she received a degree in Social Work and a lifelong love for college football. Upon graduation, she accepted a job with the Madison County Welfare Department and moved to Huntsville in January1943.

Mary and George Stuart Butler met in Sunday school at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC), where they married and raised five children. At FUMC, she assumed many responsibilities from rocking babies in the nursery to helping found Churches United for People (CUP), a local welfare fund that helps people pay utility bills, rent, and mortgages. CUP still exists today.

In addition to serving as a social worker, director (twice), child protective services supervisor, and public relations supervisor while employed at the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Mary also served on their board until 2015. The DHR conference room is named in her honor.

As a social worker, Mary keenly felt the needs of the broad Huntsville community. She and her colleagues are responsible for instituting many of the local charities, nonprofits, and service organizations in the Huntsville area. She was a longtime member of the Grace Club and served as president for two terms. She and friend Evelyn Wright were honored by receiving the Grace Award in 2015.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her adored and adoring husband, George Stuart Butler, Sr.; her brother, Oliver Lyons; and beloved in-laws and friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her children George Stuart Butler, Jr. (Frances), Mary Evelyn, Edward Oliver (Debe), Robert Woodruff (Yvonne), and Lillian Louise; grandchildren, George Stuart Butler, III (Morgan), Mary Carathers (Charles), Elysia Scholl (Tony), Warren Woodruff, and Emma Marie; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Henry, and Catherine Carathers; beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews; many dear friends including, Evelyn Wright and Mary Alice Naylor; and devoted caregivers, Demetreis Johnson, Kristey Fry, Betty McDonald, and Barbara Hall.

In lieu of flower, please donate to the CUP program at FUMC and vote.

Arrangements for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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