Larry Butler

A soft spoken, kind hearted, God fearing gentleman, Bro. Larry Butler, transitioned from his earthly life to his heavenly home at the age of 79 at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon November 7, 2025 at his Lebanon Highway home with all of his family surrounding his bed. He was pronounced deceased at 2:15 p.m. by Sheri Kinney with Gentiva Hospice of Livingston who had been lovingly assisting the family with Bro. Butler's care since January.
Bro. David Gray and Bro. Tracy Symones will officiate at the 1 p.m. Monday afternoon November 10th funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Bro. Sammy Brown will deliver the eulogy and Jade Butler will read a poem. Interment will follow in the Garden of Everlasting Life at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
The Butler family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and again on Monday after 11 a.m.
Bro. Butler's favorite verse is found in the KJV of II Timothy 4: 6-8. "For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me on that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
He was born Larry Turner Butler in the Plunketts Creek Community on June 30, 1946 and was the eighth of nine children of the late Herbert Cordell Butler who died at the age of 70 on November 5, 1977 and Ruby Irene Hailey Butler who died at the age of 82 on February 24, 1994.
The six siblings preceding him in death were Charles Alfred Butler who died April 17, 1932 at the age of fifteen months and twelve days of age, Bobby Glenn Butler Sr. who died January 22, 2002 at the age of 65, James Henry Butler who died May 25, 2002 at the age of 72, Linda Faye BurButler Silcox Burditt who died August 8, 2003 at the age of 59, Claude Butler who died June 12, 2014 at the age of 75 and Charles Bernice Butler who died June 12, 2014 at the age of 79.
In Carthage, Tennessee on April 9, 1963, he as united in marriage to South Carthage resident Carolyn Sue Grisham.
He was first employed from 1966 -1972 with H. C. Price Co. as a heavy equipment operator, was a driver for seventeen years for the former Thurston Motor Lines until their closing, was a driver for various labs and in addition to being a pastor and truck driver, he retired in 2010 from AELs as Transportation Supervisor and Logistics manager.
His church devotion included Minister of Music at Full Gospel in Lebanon for over twenty years, Christ Pentecostal Church in the Brush Creek Community for two and a half years as Assistant Pastor and five years as pastor. From May of 2009 until May of 2013, he served the pastorate at Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church in the Rock City Community and his last pastoral duties was at the Church of Redemption in South Carthage for almost nine years until his retirement due to health issues.
Both Larry and his beloved wife Carolyn so loved their son and daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and were blessed with so many friends including minister friends from many areas.
If any legacy is left behind, may it be that of loving God, family and friends and of making a difference in the spiritual lives for others as we passed through this life.
Surviving in addition to his wife Carolyn, of almost sixty-one years is their son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Billie Butler of the Rawls Creek Community; three grandchildren, An'drea Lauren Butler McCarter and husband Jason of the Rawls Creek Community, Justin Scott Butler and wife Jade Bryant Butler of Gordonsville, Landon Turner Butler of the Rawls Creek Community, sister, Mollie Butler Anderson and husband Billy of Watertown; brother, Ronnie "Cricket" Butler Sr. and wife Frances of Carthage; sister-in-law, Frances Butler of Carthage, three great-grandchildren, Ruby Lois McCarter of the Rawls Creek Community, Bryant and Bo Butler of Gordonsville; a multitude of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The Butler family has requested memorials to the Gentiva Hospice Foundation of Livingston.
Pallbearers: Justin & Landon Butler, Jason McCarter, Ronnie Butler Jr, Jonathan Enoch & Jason Silcox