Peggy June Butler

Peggy was born in Paragould Arkansas on September 23rd, 1937, to Chester and Ina (Bryant) Shirley. She grew up in Paragould and was elected homecoming queen her senior year in 1955.

After graduating from Paragould High School, she worked for a short time in Memphis, Tennessee. She had a close friend that worked at a local Memphis radio station. One day, Peggy visited her friend at the radio station and Elvis Presley was doing a promotional interview there. Elvis took an interest in Peggy and took her for a ride in his pink Cadillac. Unfortunately for Elvis, they never had another encounter. The friend took a picture of her and Elvis, and Peggy and the family had fun showing it off for many years.

She went on to have a career as a switchboard operator and dispatcher, spanning 31 years at Michigan Bell, retiring in 1991.

Peggy married the love of her life, John Butler of Oak Grove Arkansas, on May 18th, 1958. They moved to the Lansing area in 1963, where they raised their family in Dewitt, Michigan. Peggy was a member of First Baptist Church of DeWitt for many years.

Peggy loved the Lord and was always ready to witness or pray with anyone that she encountered. She was a special wife, mother and grandmother (Mimi) to her family. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She made many friends while she was at the Ingham County Medical Care facility, and the family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses, and caregivers at that facility for taking such good care of her in those last years. Heartfelt thanks to sister-in-law, Barbara Auvenshine for her visits filled with prayers, and memories that included much laughter. Many thanks to Kaylie Carter for her devoted care of our beloved Mimi.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Ina Shirley; her only sibling, sister, Charlene McMillan; and her grandson, Chad Terranova.

Peggy’s life was devoted to her family, whom she loved very much. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, John; sons, David (Pamela) Butler, Jeffrey (Christine) Butler; daughters, Lynley (Pat) Darden and Leslie (Steve) Bunch; grandchildren, Dianna (Andrew) Paulsen, Krista (Keith) Young, Nick (Jessica) Terranova, Samantha (Matt) Hendricks, Jeffrey (Rachel) Butler, Jonathan Butler, Kaylie (Joel) Carter, Taylor Stripling and Jennah Stripling; plus 13 great-grandchildren with more on the way.

Service to be announced at a later date.