Ethelyn Butler

Ethelyn Powell Butler, age 99, of Camilla, GA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024.

Ethelyn was born in Houston County, Georgia on November 2, 1925 to loving parents, Mr. Johnnie Howard Powell and Mrs. Ethel Duke Powell. Her childhood was split between Ft. Valley and Perry, Georgia, moving to Albany, Georgia with her mother as a young teen soon after the death of her father. She went on to graduate from Albany High in 1942 and Valdosta State College thereafter. She took her first job as the secretary to the adjutant of Turner Field, later working for the secretary to the CEO of the International Paper Company in Albany, Georgia.

In 1947, Ethelyn married William Henry Butler, better known as Bill, and settled into a life together in Camilla, GA. Ethelyn quickly took an active role in the Camilla United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Circle Leader, and President of the United Methodist Women. She received the Quiet Disciple Award from the United Methodist Women and was chairman of the committee for furnishings for the new church after the former church burned. Ethelyn was on the team to visit the sick, bringing flowers from the prior Sunday services with her. She was also on the bereavement committee to serve meals and the chair of the memorial committee. Her role in the community was carried out in tandem with her role in her marriage to Bill, the family farm, and many other ventures together. Theirs was a love for the story books and continued well beyond the passing of Bill in 1996. During the following years, Ethelyn enjoyed countless visits with her daughter and granddaughters to Destin, FL - a place near and dear to all their hearts, including and thanks to her loving husband Bill. Between the farm, the beach, the church, and visiting family, she lived out the rest of her years surrounded by priceless memories and a love that ran deeper than most. She was the pillar of this family, holding true to her strength and values in all her daily actions and words.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Butler Stallings (Tom), four grandchildren, Megan R. Cassidy (Dick) of Brentwood, TN, Emory Paige Slocum (Ben) of Franklin, TN, Erica L. Stallings (Walker Jamison) of Auburn, AL, and Jonathan Stallings of Thomasville, GA; four great grandchildren, Addison Cassidy, Charles Cassidy, Jon Thomas Stallings, Ella Stallings - soon to be 5 - Liam Jamison; One nephew David Wright (Linda) of Camilla, Georgia, along with their children Lindsay Boatright, Lauren Rutland (Tim), Lanier Clark (Vaiden), and grandchildren Gracen Buser (Will), Perrin Boatright, Camryn Boatright, Bridges Rutland, Wright Rutland, Butler Clark, and Laura Vaiden Clark; Helen Wright (of the late nephew Paul Wright, III) of Tifton, Georgia, their children Helen Ball (Joe), Paul Wright IV, their grandchildren Jordan Durham (Gary) and Carson McCabe (Mike), and their great grandchildren June Rigsby Durham, Jovi Louise Durham and Genova Rae McCabe.

Service will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Camilla United Methodist Church with private interment in Oakview Cemetery.

Parker-Bramlett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.