Betty Jean Crane Butler

Betty Crane Butler born October 8, 1930 entered eternal life with her Lord and Savior, on Monday, September 2, 2024. She was born to Robert Henry Crane and Bertha Estelle Mock Crane and grew up in Prichard, Alabama with her sister, Gertrude Crane Yates, and her brother, Raymond Floyd Crane. She was married to Elmer Colquitt Butler for 32 years before his premature death in 1980. She grew up in the Prichard Methodist Church and joined the Chickasaw United Methodist Church in 1978 when the Prichard church was torn down to make way for progress. In her later years, she participated in Bible study at Spring Hill Baptist Church and Bible Study Fellowship.

Betty graduated from Murphy High School in 1948 and began working at American National Bank. She and Colquitt married in 1949. When Colquitt served in the United States Air Force, they lived in Colorado and South Carolina before returning to Chickasaw. After Susan and Lee Ann were born, she resumed her career as a librarian and bookkeeper with the Mobile County Public School System for 30 years at Hamilton Elementary School. Upon retirement from the school system, she worked for the city of Chickasaw Meals on Wheels Program for another 20 years, and retired at the age of 87. She was a longtime active member of United Methodist Women and Assistance League Mobile. Betty played the piano and organ and served her church and family with strength and purpose. She enjoyed going to the beach, traveling with her children and fun experiences with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Betty was a dedicated wife and mother and leaves behind to cherish her life and legacy three children: Susan Butler McConnell (Roger), Lee Ann Butler Rowland (Burt Medoff), and Raymond Edward Butler (Berni), five grandchildren: Michelle Rowland Portera (Sam), Melissa McConnell Ashurst (McCain), Jonathan Edward McConnell, Rachel Butler Loveless (Mitch) and Lauren Ashley Butler. Her granddaughter Amanda Rowland Erkelens Shull preceded her in death (2010). She also leaves 12 special great grandchildren: Ella Kate and Alex Portera, Macy, Addie, Francie and Winnie Ashurst, Tommy McConnell, Ariana Erkelens, Chloe Rowland, and Nicholas, Christian and Jacob Loveless. Her legacy of love, kindness, strength and compassion will live on in our hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held at Chickasaw Methodist Church at 12 noon on Friday, September 6, 2024. Visitation will be at 11 am at the church. A family burial will be held at 10 am at Pine Crest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chickasaw Methodist Church, Compassionate Friends International, Assistance League Mobile or your favorite charity.