Reuben Z. Butler, Sr.

Baxley Funeral Home announces the death of Mr. Reuben Z. Butler, Sr. of Orlando, Florida who departed this life on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Walk-through visitations will be held as follows:

• Wednesday, September 16, 2020 2-5pm at Tangelo Baptist Church  located at 7001 Ravenna Avenue in Orlando, Florida
• Friday, September 18, 2020 5-8pm at Baxley Funeral Home located at 477 Blackshear Hwy in Baxley, Georgia

Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 19th at 10am at Old Field Memorial Gardens located at 117 Old Field Cemetery Road in Baxley, Georgia.

Strict social distancing measures will be in effect, masks are required as well as maintaining a distance of six feet between visitors.

Travel information:
SLEEP INN HOTEL OF BAXLEY
912-705-4663 
Family members coming in for the services for Reuben Z. Butler, Sr. will be given a 10% discount on rooms (double queens) for Friday and Saturday nights.
Rate w/discount $98.10 plus tax 
Rate is good until 9/15 @ 4 PM
When making reservation mention “Butler Funeral”

Obituary

Reuben Zachary Butler, Sr. was born in Surrency, Georgia on March 27, 1937, to the parentage of the late Mose and Geneva Butler. He attended the Appling Training School and graduated 2nd in his class in 1955.

Reuben was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Louise “Pargie” Scott, on June 23, 1959. To this union two sons, Reuben, Jr. and the late Aaron Keith, were born; a third son was added later, Jerome Porter.  Mary Louise departed this life on February 7, 2020 and remained Reuben’s friend and soul mate to the end.

After graduation, he pursued a military career of 21 years with the United States Navy; whereupon Reuben and Mary Louise traveled throughout the United States and abroad.  Upon retiring from the military, he attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.  He was an educator for the Orange County Public Schools for 23 years, retiring in 2001.

At an early age Reuben joined the First African Missionary Baptist Church in Baxley, Georgia and continued to have a love for his home church for many years.  Deacon Reuben Butler, Sr. was a faithful and dedicated member and deacon of Tangelo Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida.  During his membership at Tangelo Baptist Church he dutifully served on the Finance Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Director, and sang in the Sons of Thunder and Sanctuary Choirs. 

Reuben was very active in the Tangelo Park Community and served on several Committees and Boards, including serving as Treasurer for a number of years with the Tangelo Park Civic Association and was very active with the youths in the Tangelo Community.

Reuben was called home to rest from all his labor on Monday, September 7, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mose and Geneva Butler; wife, Louise, son, Aaron Keith; and siblings, Wally Butler, Joanne Hodges, Karney Butler, Lissa Ryals, O'dean Butler, Herbert Butler, Mose Butler, Jr., and Rozenia Butler.

He leaves to cherish his life and memories, two sons: Reuben Butler, Jr., Orlando, FL and Jerome (Linda) Porter, Deland, FL; six grandchildren; Idris (Nzinga) Cates, Ebony Butler, Aaron Butler, Reuben Butler III, Lashundra Porter, and Charnette Porter; fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; brothers: Donnie Butler, Alnorris Butler (Ida), Dale Butler (Linda) all of Baxley, GA, Phil Butler (Rethea) of Vidalia, GA; sisters: Delores Harris, Orlando, FL, Gwendolyn Williams, LaGrange, GA, Susan Sampson, Warner Robins, GA, Jackie Davis (Boyd) and Caroline Watts, both of Baxley, GA; one aunt, Lula Mae Weaver, Deerfield Beach, FL; brother-in-law Marion (Daisy) Scott of Elkton, MD; sisters-in-law: Gail Hood and Rae Sandra Hood, both of Greensboror, NC; stepbrothers-in-law: Davie Reynolds and Charles Reynolds.

He also leaves to cherish his memories with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reuben Z. Butler, Sr., please visit our floral store.