Theresa Elaine Butler

BOLD. FAITHFUL. DYNAMIC. PERSONABLE. CARING. On Friday, March 4, 1949, in Washington, DC, a beautiful little girl was born to Clyde and Corine Smith. She was born at home because there had been cases of babies being stolen from hospitals and her mother did not want to take the chance of someone stealing her child. They named the baby Theresa Elaine Smith, but she would come to be known to most people as “Tee.” She spent her young years matriculating through District of Columbia public schools, ultimately graduating from Spingarn Senior High School. On April 27, 1968, Tee married the love of her life, Joseph Melvin Butler (known to most as Melvin). To this union was born one son, Anthony Ronald Butler. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with friends on a Hawaiian Cruise in 2018. Tee worked as a bank teller, clerk at C&P Telephone Company, and with the Metropolitan Police Department. She faithfully served her community as a civilian clerk and later as a police officer in the seventh district. She was a member of the very first large class of female recruits. Her boldness served her well when one day, she arrested a rather large man with no backup, but she was not intimidated. She knew she was on her own. She looked at the man and told warned him that if he tried anything, she would turn him from a rooster to a hen. The man apparently believed her because she had no problems from him! She retired from the police department after being injured in an on-duty accident. She went on to work at the State Department, and HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) in Washington, DC. She later transferred to HUD in Florida and retired. After retiring, she worked as a Housing Inspector for the insurance industry. Tee loved to travel. Her motto was “Have bag will travel!” She was always ready to go! She took every opportunity to visit explore “God’s Handiwork,” as she would say. Cruising with family and friends was her favorite mode of travel. She and Melvin took several cruises to the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, and New England. Tee was a friendly person with a ready smile and magnetic personality. She never met a stranger and in fact met a few celebrities during her journeys, including Eddie Levert of the O’Jays, The Four Tops, and Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows. She also became friends with the personal bodyguard of the Temptations and Frankie Beverly’s assistant. Tee was a gifted, creative soul who did not hesitate to share her gift of creativity with loved ones. Over the years, she would design treasured pieces for countless birthdays, graduations, weddings, baby showers and other various occasions. She could design such beauty with paper, and made the most exquisite, intricate holiday cards for friends and family. From tiny paper purses to 3-D pop-up cards of houses, onesies, or anything else, she could make it. When asked where did you come up with this design? She would often say, “God gave it to me.” Her cards were so unique and special that they have become collector items for many. Tee was baptized as a child at the First Baptist Church of Deanwood in Washington, DC. She was a member of the Children’s Choir and later a member of the Choraliers. When she moved to Florida, she joined Faith Assembly of God, where she sang in the choir. She later moved to Faith World / Judah Church. At Judah Church, she served in the Greeter Ministry where she let her warm, friendly personality shine. Many mornings, there was a long line at Tee’s door as she greeted people with a personal touch. At her core, Tee was a woman of unshakeable faith. She encouraged and uplifted those around her. Daily, she would tirelessly spend hours sending out text messages of the Word to over 200 people. One by one, she sent these messages personally, not as a group text, an effort which would take hours. She did it even up to her very last days, so strong and resolute was her dedication to share and bless others with the Word of God. For more than 15 years, Tee has been founder and CEO of A2Z School Supplies. This is an organization that gives school supplies to low-income elementary schools in the area. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband of over 53 years, Joseph Melvin Butler; her son Anthony Ronald Butler (Eunice Thomas); her granddaughter, Felicity Corine Butler, her sister Irene Gardner (Ernest); 3 Sisters-in-law, Helen Butler, Margaret Butler and Minerva Butler. There are many nieces and nephews, down to the fifth generation, and a host of dearly loved family and friends. Tee was a beautiful soul who lived her life savoring joy and laughter, making memories, and leaving an irreplaceable impact of love and encouragement to others all around her. She will be dearly missed.

Theresa Elaine Butler

March 4, 1949 - October 31, 2021