Retired educator Allie Elizabeth Christian Butler, 94, died peacefully Sept. 11, 2016. The eldest of five children, she was born May 31, 1922, to John Robert Christian and Elizabeth Smartt Dalton Christian in Chase, Alabama.
Allie was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, John Craig Butler Sr.; her parents; siblings, E.L. (Bill) Christian, Bonnie Gaither; son, Robert James Butler.
Mrs. Butler grew up in Hueytown where she graduated from Hueytown High School as class valedictorian in 1940. She pursued a degree in music and education at Birmingham Southern College, graduating in 1944. She obtained an M.A. degree from Peabody College (now merged with Vanderbilt University) in 1962.
Allie worked for the War Shipping Administration during the summer of 1944. After her marriage to John Butler in late 1944, she taught airplane mechanics for the U.S. Air Force at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, for two years. Allie taught private piano lessons before returning to classrooms in Cullman (West Elementary) and Decatur. She taught sixth grade at Walter Jackson Elementary School for six years, then transferred to Austin High School, where she taught English until her retirement in 1986.
Allie was the mother of three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Her greatest joy came from seeing accomplishments of her offspring.
A gracious hostess, she was a fabulous cook, seamstress, historian, writer and teacher. She researched and wrote the history of First Baptist Church, Decatur, “Celebrating 150 Years” in 1992. Mrs. Butler also taught a women’s Sunday school class for many years at First Baptist. In 1970-71 she served on the Alabama State Textbook Committee. She was a member of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission and was a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Decatur Culture Club, and music clubs in every locale where she lived.
In retirement, Allie and her husband enjoyed sharing their mountain cabin in Ridgecrest, North Carolina, with family and friends. They also cherished the time they volunteered at Billy Graham’s library at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. Locally, Allie and her husband helped preserve memories of WWII by giving talks at area high schools about their wartime experiences. In 2007 Allie was inducted into the American Rosie the Riveter Association for her service rendered during WWII.
Mrs. Butler is survived by a son, John Craig Butler Jr. (Elaine) of Sugar Land, Texas, and one daughter, Elizabeth Robinson (Bill) of Richmond, Kentucky. She is also survived by a brother, Robert Dalton Christian (Ann) of Gallatin, Tennessee, and a sister, Jessie Word, of Pelham. Also surviving are grandsons John Craig Butler III (Tasha) of Austin, Texas, and children, Jordan, Jillian and Joanna; and Kevin Butler (Erica) and daughters, Mason, West and Finn, of Austin, Texas; granddaughters Emily Sambrook (Everett) of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Paige Robinson of Indianapolis, Indiana. Other close relatives are Catherine Word, David and Jim Christian of Birmingham; Jeanne Gaither of Talladega, David and Reese Butler of Huntsville, Allen and Debbie Butler of New Hope, and Robert and Shirley Christian of Huntsville.
Contributions are suggested to the Robert James Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund, College of Music, c/o Auburn University Foundation; 317 South College St, Auburn, AL 36849 or Decatur First Baptist Building Fund, 123 Church Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601.
The family would like to acknowledge the loving care given by Riverside Senior Living along with Decatur Home Care since her move in 2012.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Stephenson Chapel with Brother Roger Jenkins officiating. Visitation will be held prior at 9 a.m. Roselawn Funeral Home assisted the family.
