Robert James Butler

Brother Robert J. Butlerwas born in Sandy Point, Texas, in Brazoria County, on October 20, 1926. His parents were Israel and Easter Robertson. In 1953, Brother Butler was baptized into Christ by Brother Jessie T. Burson at Fifth Ward Church of Christ. There, with that congregation, he began his Christian commitment and service to the Lord. He married his wife, Nettie, and they were among the first group of 33 members from Fifth Ward Church of Christ who established The Church Among Blacks at Kashmere Gardens, then known as the Leffingwell Church of Christ. Brother Butler was a faithful servant who enjoyed serving shut-ins and those less fortunate. He and Brothers Lionel Alexander, Frank Preston and Albert ("Junior") Lee were friends who worked together in this honorable work. Brother Butler [also called Bob] was an excellent song director who was able to teach several young men to follow his example of directing acapella inspirational song leading. He and Brother Peter Hawthorne would spend time on Saturdays, practicing the art of congregational song leading. Bob was blessed with perfect pitch! Bob served in the United States Army during World War II (1945-1947). Afterwards, he worked at Armco Steel and retired after 42 years of service. For ten years, he also worked for T. Roy Vance, who owned McDonald's franchises on Cavalcade, Elgin and Interstate 10 because he loved working and supported missions in Prairie View, Texas and in Lake Charles, Louisiana, meeting people who were never strangers but once. On December 27, 2013, Brother Robert J. Butler departed this life. He and his wife, Nettie, would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 31, 2014. He joins, in eternity, his parents, Israel and Easter Robertson; a daughter, Sandra Butler; and eight siblings, who all preceded him in death. He leaves, to mourn: his wife, Nettie Butler; a daughter, Barbara Patterson; a brother, Earnest; a sister, Jessie Lee; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.