George E. Butler Jr.

On March 2, 1961, George E. Butler Sr. and Doretha Smarr Butler welcomed a son into this world, their joy, but also a gift they could never have imaged would touch so many lives. Educated in the Salisbury, North Carolina school system and a graduate of Livingstone College, George would first step into corporate America working for over a decade at Food Lion. Those business skills would prove useful later as George discovered one of his true passions: helping young people get the education they dreamed of. His career in financial aid at Livingstone, Johnson C. Smith University, Winston-Salem State University, Atlanta Technical College and Morgan State University allowed him to help generations of students. His words to so many were, “If you want to go to school, I'll help you get there.” And, of course, there was his music. It was, quite literally, amazing to watch God's hands bless George as he sat down at a piano for the first time. While his peers were happy playing children's games, George was happily focused on playing, and then mastering, the piano. Soon, George could simply hear a song, sit down at the keys and within what seemed mere minutes, play the whole piece, chords and all. By the time he was a teenager, George was the pianist for his church's youth choir. His love for music and natural talent would fill the rafters of Hall's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church. He also accompanied the BaLu Choir and his beloved GB Ensemble in Salisbury before he moved to Baltimore, Maryland. There, he shared his musical ministry with the congregations of First Brethren, Union Baptist Church, Jovonne First Church and John Wesley United Methodist Church. His God-given gift would serve George well for his entire life. George has now gone home and he joins his parents, grandparents and so many family members in paradise. But, his legacy of love lives on through his sisters: Montina Fox of Salisbury, NC; Diedre Butler of Ft. Washington, MD; his aunts: Lila Mae McCain and Barbara Gaul of Salisbury, NC; a nephew, Elder Ronald Staley (Chima) of Norfolk, VA; a niece, Deborah Staley of Salisbury, NC; a great nephew and great niece, Trenton Staley and Micah Staley of Norfolk, VA; cousins: Jean Leary of Virginia Beach, VA; Leroy Kelsey (Carolyn) of Concord, NC; Janet McNair of Roanoke, VA; Cynthia Butler King (Darryl) of Charlotte, NC; Kim Dunham of Tucson, AZ; Audrey Kelsey of Charlotte, NC, and a host of extended family and friends. But, then, everyone was family to George! To say we miss you doesn't come close to how we're all feeling, George. Your calls, your laughter, and your genuine caring are all things we will treasure deep in our hearts until we see you again. We know you're sitting at the keyboard now filling the heavens with beautiful music. Play on, George, Jr… Public Viewing will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 2pm-4pm at Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the family will have a private service that will be publicly extended at 1pm on Sunday, February 28, 2021 via Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc Website (nobleandkelsey.com) Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the Butler Family. Online condolences may be sent to nobleandkelsey.com.