Obituary of Jean Butler

Butler, Jean Elizabeth, 87, died Thursday. Jean was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma April 21, 1919 to her parents David & Myrtie (Lovett) Butler. She was the oldest of four children--3 girls and 1 boy--John Butler, JoAn Butler Lewin, and Janet Waggerman. All preceded her in death. She graduated from Blackwell High School in 1937. She was given a bus ticket for graduation to visit family in Houston and ended up living there for a while. She was an active member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) and has been active in this service sorority for 50 years. Ironic that one of the major charities this organization supports is the School for the Blind and Jean lost the majority of her vision as she aged. She compensated for the loss of vision by checking out talking books from the local library. And when she regularly participated in the West Tulsa senior citizen's activities, she also played bingo. She always used the same two bingo cards since she had memorized the numbers and other players knew not to take her two cards. Whenever the group played bingo on cards that were made up numbers, she used the same numbers as "her two cards" so she could play by memory. Her career included several types of jobs including working on the assembly line during the war at Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma City, being the bookkeeper for Woolworth's, and then moving into retail sales. She also did retail sales for Brown Dunkin/Dillard's and, after retiring, sold custom table pads for dining room tables. Her family remembers that family was an important part of her life. Whenever anyone needed help, she was there. Although Jean neither married or had children of her own, she always volunteered to help whoever needed her assistance. For example, in 1941 she moved in with John & Fannie Butler to help out with newborn Johnny Butler while Fannie was ill. Then again when John was in the service and Fannie had unexpected premature twin boys in 1945, she moved in with them in Mineral Wells, Texas to help out with the children. Paul & Arlen Lovett in Houston helped to care for their children David & Sharon Lovett. After her father died, she welcomed her mother into her home. At that time, her mom said if she was going to live with Jean, Jean would need to learn how to drive. At age 55, Jean did. She was a Methodist all her life and frequently attended Harvard Avenue Christian Church with the Butler family. She never transferred her membership from the Methodist Church in Blackwell, and she faithfully watched Mouzon Biggs from Boston Avenue Methodist Church's televised service every Sunday up till her death. Mouzon honored her in person when he did a final prayer with her at the Clarehouse Thursday. The family is convinced that although she had already passed when Mouzon came to her side, she is delighted that he took time to come see and learn about one of his biggest fans. The family also remembers Aunt Jean's amazing memory. When looking at old family school classroom photos, she would instantly recognize her sibling in the picture, then name the teacher and proceed to name the other students in the class. Surprised at this amazing memory, you could turn over the photo and sure enough, the names were exactly as she had remembered them. She was always in a good mood and never showed anger or ill will towards anyone. Even while she was in rehab for a short time and felt as though she had been neglected, she would excuse the staff saying that she knew they were busy with other patients. When asked why she never married, she said, "No man ever measured up to my father and my brother." And she loved to talk. Conversation never came to a standstill with Jean. The family is comforted to know "Aunt Jean" is with her brother and sisters, her parents, and her other family members telling them all about what has happened with the family since they departed. And knowing Aunt Jean, she won't leave out any details. Service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday at Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma with final interment 2:00 PM at the Blackwell Cemetery, Blackwell, Oklahoma. Family suggests contributions in Jean's memory be made to either Clarehouse, 7328 East 49th Place, Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 665-7026 or Muskogee School of the Blind. Ninde Woodland Chapel