Elizabeth Butler

Elizabeth "Betty" Butler died in her Hyde Park home in Chicago, Illinois on May 27th, 2016. She was 97. Mrs. Butler was born on November 10, 1918 in Beloit, Wisconsin and was the 6th child of Rev. James and Mayme Mitcham. She received her undergraduate degree from Howard University graduating magna cum laude in Social Work. She later received a master degree in Social Work Administration from the University of Chicago. She worked at several hospitals and in 1959 became a Professor at the University of Chicago in the Social Service Administration Clinical Training Department. Following her retirement in 1983, the University's School of Social Service Administration established The Elizabeth Butler Award in 1990, honoring a graduate who has shown exceptional promise in the field of social work. Mrs. Butler was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd serving on several boards and committees. She was a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and had many skills and hobbies including photography and arts and crafts. She was the unofficial "Family Historian" maintaining family genealogy records. Mrs. Butler is survived by her brother, William Mitcham of Atlanta, GA, devoted care-givers Glenda Hopson and Shirley Brown for whom the family is forever grateful as well as numerous nephews, nieces, god-children, sorority sisters and friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy Butler. Memorial services will be held on June 25, 2016 at 11:00 AM at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 5700 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Church of the Good Shepherd or to make a memorial tribute gift to the School of Social Service Administration at the University , send checks made out to "The University of Chicago", memo line "SSA Fund in memory of Betty Butler", 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL, 60637, ATTN: SSA Fund.