Sandra West Butler

Sandra, daughter of Roy C. Mae West Clark and the late Oliver West Jr., was born in the Millington (TN) Naval Hospital. When she was eleven years old, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Sandra graduated from Hillcrest High School and would go on to graduate from The University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and California State University East Bay with a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Online Teaching and Learning. She also held several leadership, education, and technology certifications.

On September 16, 1989, she married Zedrick Fitzgerald Butler, the love of her life. They had two beautiful daughters, Kelsey and Kayla. The family would join Mount Austin MBC (Memphis), where Sandra and Zedrick co-founded Operation Wake-up!, a youth ministry designed to equip the next generation for a lifelong walk with Christ. Sandra also served as a VBS director and usher and helped students with college admissions.

Sandra embraced an entrepreneurial spirit and often mentored others. Over the years, she was the owner of ASAP Computer Services and co-owner with her husband of Automated Solutions, Inc. and SoftTrain Solutions, LLC. Additionally, she taught as an adjunct instructor at State Technical Institute at Memphis (now Southwest Tennessee Community College) and The University of Memphis.

In 2000, a relocation with Zedrick's job would move the family to the Atlanta metro area. She served in many capacities in her daughters' schools and extracurricular activities, including room mom, PTA board member, school web designer, backup volleyball coach, scorekeeper, and accreditation committee member.

The Lord would lead Sandra and her family to Greater Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, where she quickly became involved in Vacation Bible School and administrative church support. She was extremely creative and humbly served behind the scenes as the communications director for 14 years until her illness forced her to resign. In this role, she built the church's website, established its livestream services, and managed its social media platforms-using technology to help the ministry reach and engage a broader community. In addition to her official role, she designed the church's financial giving system, coordinated logistics for Vacation Bible School, created special service programs, and willingly took on countless other tasks, always ready to serve wherever she was needed. In 2020, she received the Greater Elizabeth service award. Her life stands as a testament to God's power, faithfulness, and unconditional love.

Sandra was a trailblazer in information and instructional technology and online learning for nearly 40 years. She served in senior leadership positions at Spelman College, Emory University and the University of Memphis. She was instrumental in developing and launching the first online learning platforms at both Emory University and Spelman College, laying the foundation for their digital education initiatives and expanding access to learning through technology.

Additionally, Sandra was a passionate reader and gifted writer, a plant lover, a Scrabble champion, a skin and hair guru, a water aerobics participant, a puzzle enthusiast, and a true foodie. As a Yelp Elite Squad (YES) critic, she brought humor and insight to every review. She especially loved fried whole catfish-never one to shy away from getting into the bone to enjoy every bite. She loved to dance to all kinds of music, always moving with joy and spirit.

Sandra is preceded in death by her father Oliver West Jr., father-in-law Zedrick A. Butler, brother Terry E. West, aunts Zelphia Jackson, Australia Hassell, and Ernestine Lackland.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Zedrick Fitzgerald Butler; daughters Kelsey Dominique Butler and Kayla Danielle Butler; mom Roy C. Mae West Clark; stepfather Paul Clark; mother-in-law Cerea A. Butler; sister-in-law Nedra Butler Ross (Eugene); niece Lynetra Ross; aunts Doris Norfleet, Erma Jean Echols, Brenda Newberry, Minnie Pearl Rogers (Jimmie), Katherine Williford, Bettie Jo White (Willie); uncles Marvin Pender Sr., Richard Newberry, Ray Mack Newberry (Kathy), Roy Daniel Newberry; and a host of friends, family, church members, the neuroendocrine network, MEAction allies, and loving supporters in the YouTube comments of PJ Morton's "The Better Benediction" official video:

Her homegoing celebration will be at Greater Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home. The family deeply appreciates your prayers, love, and support during this time. Memorial donations may be made to the Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) to support continued awareness and research: netcancerawareness.org/donations-funding. Floral arrangements may be sent directly to Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home in Douglasville; the closest florist to this location is France's Florist. Sympathy cards and gifts may be sent to the family's home.